French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday (Oct. 17, 2024). , Photo Credit: AP
French President Emmanuel Macron’s comment that Israel owes its existence to a UN resolution has created uneasiness in France. The President has been strongly reprimanded by the Speaker of the Upper House, but he is facing uneasiness from within himself. Have to do it.
Mr Macron’s comments during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) came as Israel needed to follow UN resolutions in its Campaign in Lebanon and Gaza Because they were created by the world body, it angered the Israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu,
But there has also been a sharp reaction in France, home to Europe’s largest Jewish community, with Jewish groups, political veterans and even Macron allies speaking out against the comments.
International affairs are one of the few remaining areas where Macron, who attended the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday (October 17, 2024), has political leeway after this summer’s legislative elections, which resulted in a centrist A typical right wing is overseeing the government.
“This shows, first of all, ignorance of the history of the birth of the State of Israel,” said Gerard Larcher, the right-wing speaker of the upper house of the Senate. Europe 1 radio. “Questioning Israel’s existence touches fundamental questions for me,” he said.
“I was surprised that these comments could be made,” he said, arguing that Israel’s creation “was not merely a notarial act validated by the United Nations”.
Mr Larcher would take over the presidency if centrist Mr Macron became incapacitated or suddenly resigned. He is a senior figure in the right-wing Republican (LR) party, to which Prime Minister Michel Barnier also belongs.
‘Tampering with history’
“Mr Netanyahu should not forget that his country was created by a decision of the United Nations,” Mr Macron told the weekly French cabinet meeting.
The President was referring to a resolution adopted in November 1947 by the United Nations General Assembly on a plan to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
“This is therefore not the time to disregard UN decisions,” he said, as concerns grew over Israeli firing on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
His comments at the closed-door meeting at the Elysee Palace were quoted by two participants in the conversation AFP And asked not to disclose his name.
In a highly unusual sharp attack from an established figure in France, Mr. Larcher questioned whether Mr. Macron had taken into account the British Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported the creation of a Jewish homeland, and even And also of the genocide and its consequences.
Mr Larcher said Mr Macron had raised “doubts” with his comments and that although he had “no doubts about them, I say that Israel’s right to exist is neither debatable nor negotiable”.
Mr Netanyahu hit back at Mr Macron, saying the country was founded by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, not by a UN decision.
He also said that among those who fought for Israel in 1948 were French Jews, who were deported to death camps after being rounded up by the collaborationist Vichy regime that ruled much of France during the Nazi occupation in World War II .
In an interview with France le figaro In the daily published on Thursday (October 17, 2024), Mr Netanyahu accused Mr Macron of a “worrying distortion of history” and “insults”.
‘International Rules’
Caroline Yadan, a lawmaker from Mr Macron’s centrist party, said the comments made in the president’s name were “inexcusable”.
“To limit Israel to a single UN decision is to deny the history of the Jewish people and its legitimate and historic connection to this land,” he wrote on X. Undo? Is this a warning?”
Parliamentary sources told AFP Mr Macron’s comments sparked a strong reaction within his own Renaissance party.
Prominent Renaissance MP Sylvain Maillard confirmed, “There are some very heated discussions.” AFPSaying that about 10 representatives were in a message group on the issue.
“There have been terrible arguments,” said a former minister, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Government spokeswoman Maude Brezon stressed on Thursday (October 17, 2024) that Mr Macron’s comments needed to be seen in their full context.
“He reminded everyone of the need to respect international rules. Israel must respect them,” he said. Sood Radio,
He said Mr Macron had been in favor of Israel and the Israeli people “for a year and since the October 7 terrorist attacks”. Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its attack on Israel, leading to the Gaza War.
published – October 18, 2024 11:52 am IST