Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t mince words after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s intent to recognize a Palestinian state by June. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu called the move a “grave mistake,” warning that such a state, in his view, would serve only one purpose: “the destruction of Israel.”
Netanyahu doubled down on his firm opposition Sunday, insisting that pushing for Palestinian statehood under current conditions jeopardizes regional security. “Calls for a Palestinian state at this time are not just misguided—they’re dangerous,” he emphasized.
At the same time, Netanyahu took a moment to distance himself from the harsher tone adopted by his son, Yair Netanyahu, who had publicly criticized Macron’s comments in recent days. While he refrained from endorsing Yair’s remarks, the prime minister stopped short of condemning them outright, merely saying the “style” of the criticism wasn’t his own.
Macron’s April 9 declaration signaled a dramatic shift in France’s Middle East policy. He vowed to push forward with official recognition of a Palestinian state before the summer, a move that could reshape diplomatic dynamics within the European Union and beyond.
As tensions rise over the issue, Netanyahu’s firm stance highlights the widening gap between Israel’s current leadership and key European allies on the path forward in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
