Diplomatic tensions: Netanyahu responds to Macron on the creation of Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted to recent statements by Emmanuel Macron, who pointed out that “Mr. Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a UN decision.” This comment comes against a backdrop of growing tensions between the two leaders, exacerbated by the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

At a Council of Ministers meeting, the French president made this statement, which Netanyahu considers to be erroneous. In his view, the State of Israel was founded as a result of the 1948 war, not a UN resolution. In a statement, he said: “A reminder for the President of France: it was not the UN resolution that established the State of Israel, but the victory achieved in the war of independence, at the price of the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors, including those who had suffered under the Vichy regime in France.”

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the French president’s remarks were intended to underline the importance of all countries, including Israel, respecting the UN Charter.

Context of heightened tensions

Macron’s statement comes a few days after his call to suspend arms deliveries to Israel for its intervention in Gaza, remarks that Netanyahu had described as “shameful.” The two leaders had discussed the subject by telephone on October 6, “in all frankness”, according to an Élysée press release.

The standoff between Netanyahu and Macron is also taking place against a backdrop of tensions between Israel and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On October 13, UNIFIL denounced “shocking violations” by Israel of its positions, reporting the incursion of Israeli tanks into one of its zones. For its part, Israel is calling for the withdrawal of UNIFIL from southern Lebanon. On October 11, Macron described Israeli fire against UN forces as “unacceptable.”

This situation highlights the continuing diplomatic challenges in the region, underlining the diverging perspectives on the creation of Israel and recent military events.