Israel warns France that Macron won’t be welcome to visit

Netanyahu responded in a Telegram interview Thursday that the move violated accords signed with the Palestinian Liberation Organization requiring negotiations on disputed issues.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel has issued a sharp warning to Paris that French President Emmanuel Macron will not be welcome in Jerusalem if his government proceeds with plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar conveyed the message in a phone call Thursday with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot. Sa’ar urged France to withdraw its recognition initiative, stressing that such a step would “undermine stability in the Middle East and harm Israel’s national and security interests,” according to his office.

“Israel seeks good relations with France, but France must respect Israel’s position when it comes to matters essential to its security and future,” Sa’ar said, adding that a Macron visit “has no place” under current circumstances.

Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had also linked any Macron trip to scrapping the recognition plan, a demand the French leader rejected.

Macron announced last month that France would formally extend recognition at the upcoming UN session in September, joining a growing list of Western countries pressing Israel to change course.

Netanyahu responded in a Telegram interview Thursday that the move violated accords signed with the Palestinian Liberation Organization requiring negotiations on disputed issues.

“If they take unilateral steps against us, don’t be surprised if we take unilateral steps as well,” he said, without specifying what measures were under consideration.

The dispute comes as Israel faces mounting calls to end the Gaza war, which began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on southern communities.

The conflict has devastated the territory and left hostages still in captivity.

The United States has also pushed back against European recognition efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Quito that Washington had warned governments such recognition would only create “more problems” and complicate prospects for a ceasefire.

Netanyahu, in a letter to Macron last month, argued that French recognition was fueling antisemitism. Macron countered that the charge should not be “weaponized.”