Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrow, to cancel France’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state unilaterally this month. Saar’s office said French President Emmanuel Macron would not be invited to Israel as long as the issue remains on the agenda.
During the phone call, Saar urged Barrow to “reconsider France’s initiative to recognize a Palestinian state, noting that this move undermines stability in the Middle East and harms Israel’s national interests and security.”
“Israel seeks good relations with France, but France must respect Israel’s position on issues that are vital to its security and future,” Saar added during the call.
He also stressed that any visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Israel would be “inappropriate” as long as France continues its initiatives and efforts that harm Israel’s interests.
Last night, the Kan public television and radio company reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had conditioned Macron’s visit on France’s rejection of the initiative to recognize Palestine. According to reports, the French president rejected this demand.
During their conversation, the ministers also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, the process of restoring sanctions against Iran, and the wars in Lebanon and Ukraine.
