Key Takeaways:
– Gerard Larcher, French Senate Speaker voiced confusion over President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on Israel.
– Macron stated that Israel must remember its birth via a United Nations resolution.
– Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has retaliated, leading to further tension between France and Israel.
– Larcher argues that criticizing Israel is raising fundamental questions.
Macron’s Distressing Assertion
The speaker of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, expressed dismay over comments related to Israel which President Emmanuel Macron allegedly made. Macron stated that Israel should never forget its existence owes much to a United Nations resolution. The statement came to light after the Israeli forces responded aggressively towards UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. This surprising remark by Macron left Larcher unsettled and he attacked the president for his perceived lack of understanding of historical events.
A Furious Response
The president’s statement didn’t just astound Larcher but also led to a heated response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. France and Israel already have strains in their relationship, and this comment has only fueled the fire. Notably, Larcher stated on Europe 1 radio that Macron’s words demonstrated a clear ignorance about Israel’s history.
The Right-Wing Response
Larcher, a renowned figure in the right-wing Republicans (LR) party, declared that questioning Israel’s existence raised significant concerns for him. According to Larcher, Israel’s creation wasn’t simply a notarial event rubber-stamped by the UN. He criticized Macron’s simplified view of a complex historical event. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that if Macron, a centrist, was suddenly unable to serve as president, Larcher would step into the role due to his position as the speaker of the upper house.
Macron’s Controversial Stance
During a weekly French cabinet meeting, Macron reminded everyone, and particularly Netanyahu, that Israel owes its creation to a UN decision. He referred to the resolution passed in November 1947 by the United Nations General Assembly, intending to separate Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state. His message was clear – Israel should remember the UN’s decisions, especially in light of the growing concern over Israeli attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
The Balfour Declaration and the Holocaust
Larcher hit hard at Macron for disregarding critical points in history like the 1917 British Balfour Declaration, which pushed for the formation of a Jewish homeland, and even the horrors of the Holocaust. He criticized Macron for ignoring the real struggles that led to the creation of Israel.
Netanyahu’s Retort
Not one to back down, Netanyahu countered Macron’s comments stating that Israel gained its independence following the Arab-Israeli war in 1948, and not from a UN ruling. He went on to remind everyone that amongst those who fought for Israel in that war were French Jews who survived World War II after being captured and sent to death camps by the Vichy regime. This regime collaborated with the Nazis and occupied a hefty portion of France during World War II.
A Distressing Distortion of History
In a recent interview published by France’s Le Figaro daily, Netanyahu accused Macron of creating a distressing distortion of history and showing disrespect. Macron’s statements have added tension to the already strained relationship between France and Israel. A massive international debate has now been sparked, with both political heads defending their viewpoints.