Israeli Foreign Minister: Macron won't be able to visit Israel until he gives up recognizing the State of Palestine

Israeli Foreign Minister Sarr has asked France to reconsider its decision to recognize the State of Palestine and made it clear that if France insists on harming Israel's interests, it will be "impossible" for French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Israel.

Xinhua News Agency reported that on Thursday (September 4th), Sarr spoke by phone with French Foreign Minister Barrow, saying that France plans to recognize the actions of the Palestinian State as damaging Israel's national interests and security interests. Israel is committed to developing good relations with France, but on core issues concerning Israel's security and future, France must respect Israel's position.

According to an earlier report by Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu refused Macron's visit to Israel before France announced its recognition of the Palestinian State. Netanyahu said that Macron's visit to Israel was on the condition of withdrawing the decision to recognize the State of Palestine. Macron refused.

The French newspaper Le Monde published a reply letter from Macron to Netanyahu on August 26. In his letter, Macron pointed out that occupying the Gaza Strip and forcing Palestinians to be displaced would never bring victory to Israel. He reaffirmed France's determination to recognize the State of Palestine.

Macron said on July 24 that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th United Nations General Assembly to be held in late September. Subsequently, Western countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia successively expressed their plans or preparations to recognize the State of Palestine. The call from the international community for the implementation of the "two-state solution" has further strengthened.