France has condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s accusations that European governments were inciting hatred against Israel, according to AFP.
The statement came after a gunman shot two Israeli embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum and shouted “free Palestine” as he was arrested.
“There is a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder. This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe,” Saar said.
Mounting Tensions
The relations between Israel and European countries have seen various tensions in recent days due to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its blockade of humanitarian aid.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that France was “determined” to recognize a Palestinian State, according to France 24.
Barrot also condemned Israel’s “indefensible” situation in Gaza caused by its heavy airstrikes and blockade of humanitarian aid.
A Move to Recognize Palestinian State
“We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. So, all this must stop, and that’s why we are determined to recognize a Palestinian state,” Barrot told France Inter radio.
In this regard, he also emphasized that Paris supported a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union and Israel.
“And I am actively working towards this, because we want to contribute to a political solution in the interest of the Palestinians but also for the security of Israel,” he added.
Joint Efforts
Barrot’s statement came after French President Emmanuel Macron joined British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a rare joint statement that made Israel very angry.
The participating states said that they would not stand by, “further concrete actions” if Israel continued to block aid. Furthermore, they stressed their commitment to recognizing a Palestinian state.
Macron’s Rejection of Netanyahu’s Policies
Macron also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of committing “shameful and disgraceful,” actions in Gaza.
In a special television appearance broadcast on the TF1 channel, Macron noted that it is not for Netanyahu to decide whether this constitutes genocide, but rather for historians.
“What Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is doing today in Gaza is unacceptable. It is shameful and disgraceful,” Macron said.
Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed at least 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Related Topics:
Joint Statement: Over 70 UN Member States Call for Protecting Gazans
Pressure Mounts on Israel over its Military Escalation in Gaza
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israel’s Ground Operations in Gaza
