Macron rebukes Netanyahu, urges path to peace in strongly worded letter
Macron devoted significant portions of his letter to defending his government’s record in combating antisemitism.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a rare and sharply worded public letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, warning that Israel risks losing a “historic opportunity” for peace if it continues with its military campaign in Gaza and its settlement policies in the West Bank.
The letter, dated August 26 and released by the Élysée Palace, came in response to Netanyahu’s earlier message accusing France of emboldening antisemitism through its recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron, in turn, rejected the allegations, calling them “unacceptable” and “an offence to France as a whole.”
The French president claimed that the occupation of Gaza, the forced displacement and starvation of Palestinians, the hateful dehumanizing of discourse, and the annexation of the West Bank will never achieve victory for Israel. “On the contrary, these actions will only make your country more isolated, embolden those who use them as a pretext for anti-Semitism and endanger Jewish communities around the world”, the president wrote.
“I solemnly appeal to you to end the desperate race of a murderous and illegal permanent war in Gaza, causing indignity for your country and placing your people in a deadlock”, the president added.
FRENCH PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron speaks in front of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza, at the Egyptian Red Crescent warehouse in Arish, Egypt, in April. Last Thursday, he announced that France would officially recognize a Palestinian state. (credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/REUTERS)
Defending France’s handling of antisemitism
Macron devoted significant portions of his letter to defending his government’s record in combating antisemitism, citing his 2017 endorsement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, France’s recent legislation targeting antisemitism in higher education, and the deployment of 15,000 police officers to protect Jewish sites after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre.
“The fight against antisemitism must not be weaponized and will not fuel any discord between Israel and France,” Macron wrote. “Accusations of inaction are unacceptable and an offence to France as a whole.”
He stressed that antisemitism in France stems from both the far right and the far left, warning that tying its resurgence to French diplomatic positions on the Palestinians was misleading and dangerous.
At the heart of Macron’s message was a forceful argument that Israel’s long-term security can only be guaranteed by the creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“We are convinced, after nearly two years of Israeli operations in Gaza, that this is today the only way to truly eradicate Hamas and ensure Israel’s young people are not consumed by a permanent war,” Macron declared.
He highlighted French and Saudi efforts at the United Nations in July to rally Arab and Western governments behind a “Day After” plan for Gaza – one that would see international partners assume temporary security responsibilities, disarm terrorist groups, and rebuild the territory under new Palestinian leadership.
“This commitment is unprecedented,” Macron said. “It stems from our indignation in the face of the terrible humanitarian disaster in Gaza that nothing can justify.”
“Your government has decided on a new phase of the offensive leading to the reoccupation of Gaza. I am convinced such a measure would impact the lives of the people of Israel for decades to come,” Macron warned.
The French president also underscored the urgency of securing a ceasefire to facilitate the release of all hostages. France, he noted, lost more than 50 citizens on October 7, with three French hostages dying in captivity.
“The barbaric images of Israeli hostage Evyatar David served as a reminder to the world that Hamas must never again be a threat to Israel, nor play any role in the future governance of Gaza,” Macron wrote.
While unequivocal in condemning Hamas, Macron urged Netanyahu to avoid falling into what he described as the group’s trap of provoking irreversible decisions that would perpetuate war.
Concluding his message, Macron positioned France as both Israel’s ally and critic. “France will always be a friend of Israel and the Palestinians. I solemnly appeal to you to end the desperate race of a murderous and illegal permanent war in Gaza, and to take the outstretched hand of international partners ready to work towards peace.”
