Israel has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of waging a “crusade” against the Jewish state. The Israeli foreign ministry made the accusation in a statement posted on social media platform X, saying Macron is ignoring facts and pushing an anti-Israel agenda.
The statement sharply criticized Macron’s recent comments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling his approach biased and harmful.
The accusation follows Macron’s recent expressions of support for recognizing a Palestinian state under certain conditions. He also warned that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza does not improve, France might impose sanctions on Israeli settlers. These remarks have intensified tensions between Paris and Jerusalem at a time of heightened conflict in Gaza.
Macron defended his position by condemning Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians and stressing France’s moral duty. He said leaving Gaza completely under Israeli control risks damaging France’s global reputation. Macron described conditional recognition of a Palestinian state as an ethical obligation to achieve peace. The growing diplomatic clash highlights deep divisions over the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Adding to the controversy, Israel’s defense minister declared the intention to formally establish a Jewish state in the West Bank, a move condemned by Palestinians and many international actors. He challenged Macron and his allies, stating they may recognize Palestine “on paper,” but Israel will create realities on the ground through settlement expansion.
Also Read: Israel blocks Gaza aid to undermine Hamas
Macron defended his position by condemning Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians and stressing France’s moral duty. He said leaving Gaza completely under Israeli control risks damaging France’s global reputation. Macron described conditional recognition of a Palestinian state as an ethical obligation to achieve peace. The growing diplomatic clash highlights deep divisions over the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned Paris: “Do not threaten Israel with sanctions” as it will continue to build a “Jewish state” on the ground”.
He also rebuffed a call by French President Emmanuel Macron for establishing a Palestinian State.
In open defiance of international law, Katz claimed that world powers may recognize a Palestinian state “on paper.”
Katz made the remarks during a visit to Sa-Nur, an illegal outpost in the northern West Bank that the Tel Aviv government recently decided to officially designate as a settlement for illegal Israeli settlers.
In a direct message, Defense Minister Israel Katz targets French President Macron and European allies.
He also dismissed the potential international consequences.
He said: “They will recognise a Palestinian state on paper, while we will build the Jewish Israeli state on the ground.
“Don’t threaten us with sanctions. You will not make us bow.
“The State of Israel will not kneel before threats.”
His comments came hours after President Macron stated that recognising the State of Palestine was a “moral duty”.
Macron also reiterated that France may move toward official recognition during an upcoming international conference focused on the two-state solution.
Last week, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli Security Cabinet had secretly approved the establishment of 22 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In response, the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now issued a statement Thursday, revealing that 12 of the newly approved settlements were previously unauthorised outposts and farming sites established in recent years.
According to Peace Now, there are currently 156 illegal settlements and 224 outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with over 736,000 illegal Israeli settlers living on occupied Palestinian land.
The international community, including the UN, considers the Israeli settlements illegal under international law.
The UN has repeatedly warned that continued settlement expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution, a framework seen as key to resolving the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian land illegal and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Wit Agency reports.
