Israel threatens to block Macron's entry if he recognizes Palestine
Photo: Emmanuel Macron may be barred from traveling to Israel over recognition of Palestine (Getty Images)
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar urged French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot to refrain from unilateral recognition of Palestine, warning that in such a case, French president Emmanuel Macron would not be able to travel to Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
In a phone call, Saar urged his French counterpart to reconsider France’s initiative to recognize the state of Palestine, stating that the French plan 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 when it comes to matters essential to its security and future," Sa’ar stressed during the conversation.
Sa’ar also said that any visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Israel "has no place" so long as France "persists in its initiative and in efforts that harm Israel’s interests."
On July 29, France initiated the creation of a coalition in support of officially recognizing the state of Palestine. Fifteen countries immediately joined the effort.
Shortly before that, French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s intention to recognize the state of Palestine at the UN General Assembly session in September.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Paris’s intentions, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that his country would recognize the Palestinian state in September, but only if Israel ceased hostilities in Gaza and abandoned its plans of annexing land.
