Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his son, Yair Netanyahu, strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron over his recent comments suggesting France could recognize a Palestinian state within months.
Yair Netanyahu stirred a controversy late Saturday with a post on X, responding to Macron’s position: “Screw you!” he wrote in English, before adding, “Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to the independence of French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica!… Stop the neo-imperialism of France in West Africa!” — mistakenly referring to French Guiana as “French Guinea.”
Netanyahu’s son reacted after Macron in a televised interview with France 5, said France could move toward recognizing a Palestinian state during a UN conference in New York this June.
He expressed hope that such a move might inspire reciprocal recognition of Israel by Arab states.
“We must move towards recognition, and we will do so in the coming months,” Macron said. “I will do it because I believe it is right… and to create a collective dynamic that encourages others to recognize Israel as well.”
Netanyahu Backs Son’s Outburst
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his son’s sentiments, stating Macron was “gravely mistaken” and echoed Israel’s firm opposition to Palestinian statehood.
“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,” he said.
He also accused the Palestinian leadership of remaining silent following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, describing that silence as “a revealing indicator of their true stance toward the Jewish state.”
Netanyahu further criticized what he described as France’s double standards: “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.”
Macron on Friday reiterated that France supports “the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and to peace,” while also affirming Israel’s right to live in peace and security.
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