Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised French President Emmanuel Macron over his recent statement suggesting France could recognise a Palestinian state within months.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Netanyahu said, “President Macron is gravely mistaken in continuing to promote the idea of a Palestinian state in the heart of our land, a state whose sole aspiration is the destruction of Israel.”
Macron had told France 5 television on Wednesday that France might officially recognise Palestine during a UN peace conference planned in New York this June. Macron said the move was aimed at triggering a broader regional peace initiative, stating, “We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months.”
He added that recognition should lead to “a collective dynamic” and eventually, reciprocal recognition of Israel by Arab nations.
In response, Netanyahu accused Palestinian leaders of staying silent after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, calling it “the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.” He said, “We will not endanger our existence over illusions detached from reality, and we will not accept moral lectures about establishing a Palestinian state that would threaten Israel’s survival, especially not from those who oppose granting independence to Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guiana, and other territories, whose independence would pose no threat to France whatsoever.”
His son, Yair Netanyahu, took to social media to express his anger. In a Saturday night post on X, he wrote in English, “Screw you!” and called for independence for several French territories including Corsica and French Polynesia, while mistakenly referring to “French Guinea” instead of French Guiana.
The younger Netanyahu also accused France of “neoimperialism in West Africa,” a remark that tapped into ongoing tensions in former French colonies.
France has long supported a two-state solution, including after the October 2023 Hamas attack.
However, formal recognition would mark a significant policy shift. Nearly 150 countries currently recognise Palestine, and recent moves by Ireland, Spain, Norway and Slovenia were largely driven by outrage over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Macron later clarified his remarks on Friday, stating on X, “I support the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and to peace, just as I support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security.” He added, “Yes to peace. Yes to Israel’s security. Yes to a Palestinian state without Hamas.”
Macron stressed that France’s recognition aims to strengthen peace and oppose actors like Iran, who deny Israel’s right to exist. He also reiterated that Gaza is “not a real estate project,” countering US President Donald Trump’s earlier suggestion of turning the region into a tourism hub.
