A dispute has erupted between Israel and France following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that French President Emmanuel Macron is inciting “the anti-Semitic fire” in France by intending to acknowledge Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s assertion, made in a letter seen by AFP, claims that anti-Semitism has intensified in France since Macron’s recent intention to recognize Palestine as a state at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting.
In response, the French president’s office dismissed Netanyahu’s allegations as “abject” and “erroneous,” affirming that France “will not fail to respond” to these claims. The office stressed the importance of “seriousness and responsibility, rather than confusion and manipulation,” adding that France is committed to safeguarding its Jewish community, where violence against them is deemed “unbearable.”
The disagreement has widened, with Netanyahu also criticizing Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for planning to recognize Palestinian statehood and rescinding the visa of Israeli politician Simcha Rothman. In return, Israel revoked visas for Australian diplomats, leading Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to condemn this move as an “unjustified reaction,” asserting that Netanyahu’s government is isolating Israel internationally and obstructing peace efforts.
Further escalations involve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli authorities are restricting the entry of essential shelter items, such as tents, exacerbating the plight of over 700,000 displaced individuals. This action is viewed as exacerbating the humanitarian situation by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, with tents labeled as “dual use” due to the potential of tent poles being repurposed for military activities. The UN Human Rights Office has also raised concerns about the risks of mass displacement and further suffering in Gaza City due to Israel’s military operations.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/20/israels-netanyahu-lashes-out-at-frances-macron-australian-pm-albanese?traffic_source=rss
