[Global Times Special Correspondent in France Yu Chaofan, Global Times Special Correspondent Wang Yangyang] AFP said on the 27th that French President Macron strongly refuted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent criticism of the rise of anti-Semitism in France in a letter published on the 26th, saying that anti-Semitic activities "do not exempt the policies currently being implemented in Gaza and other Palestinian territories."

The New York Times said that this is the latest development in the diplomatic friction between France and Israel. Since Macron previously announced that France would recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, high-level accusations and a series of leaked letters between the two sides have made the friction public.

In a letter on 17 December, Netanyahu criticized Macron¡¯s announcement of recognizing the Palestinian state, saying that France¡¯s anti-Semitic attacks in recent years were ¡°shockingly rising¡± and that ¡°your government lacks decisive action to respond.¡± The French presidential office then condemned the allegations as ¡°wrong¡± and ¡°humble¡± and said that Macron was informed through the media. Therefore, in his public response on 26 November, Macron stressed that he intentionally waited for the letter to be published in the media after the receipt of the letter, ¡°it was the most basic courtesy.¡±

In his letter on Israel's decision to launch a new offensive to "finally reoccupy the Gaza Strip," Mr. Macron said the occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians would never bring victory to Israel. "On the contrary, it will only increase the isolation of your country, embolden those who use this as a pretext for anti-Semitic activities, and endanger Jewish communities around the world." He also called for an end to the "illegal and unjustified" expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

President Macron's response was "sharply worded," Agence France-Presse said, and he reiterated France's determination to recognize a Palestinian state, saying "lasting peace requires a sovereign Palestinian state that recognizes Israel and its security rights, demilitarizes and coexists peacefully with Israel."