Benjamin Netanyahu to Macron: Palestinian state a "prize for terror" 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron following Macron’s announcement that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state and meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

The conversation came about due to heightened tensions, following inflammatory remarks posted by Netanyahu’s son, Yair, in response to Macron’s public support for Palestinian statehood. Yair Netanyahu had posted a scathing message on X, accusing France of neo-imperialism and calling for independence for several French territories.

In an official statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said: “During the conversation, the Prime Minister expressed his fierce opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, stating it would be a massive prize for terrorism.”

Netanyahu reportedly told Macron that “no Palestinian body, including the Palestinian Authority, has condemned the October 7th massacre,” and that Palestinian education promotes the destruction of Israel while rewarding terrorists with financial incentives.

The Prime Minister further warned that “a Palestinian state just minutes away from Israeli cities would quickly become an Iranian-backed terror base,” adding that “the vast majority of the Israeli public is firmly against such a move,” and emphasizing that this has been his consistent position for years.

Macron had previously written on X: “Yes to peace. Yes to Israel’s security. Yes to a Palestinian state without Hamas.” In response, Yair Netanyahu replied with: “Screw you! Yes to independence of New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Corsica, the Basque Country, and French Guiana! End France’s neo-imperialism in West Africa!”

Following the backlash, Prime Minister Netanyahu offered public support for his son, saying: “I love my son Yair, a true Zionist who cares deeply about the future of our country.”