The president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), Yonathan Arfi, expressed deep concern over remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the role of the United Nations in the creation of the State of Israel. Arfi characterized Macron's comments as a "historical and political mistake," if confirmed, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding the legitimacy of Israel's existence.
During a recent Council of Ministers meeting, Macron reportedly stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not distance himself from UN decisions, emphasizing that it was a "UN decision" that created Israel, referencing UN Resolution 181 from November 1947. This resolution proposed the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, a plan that was rejected by Arab nations and Palestinians, subsequently leading to the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949.
In response, Netanyahu firmly rejected Macron's assertion, stating that the establishment of Israel was not the result of a UN resolution but rather the outcome of the sacrifices made during the War of Independence. He underscored the historical context of Zionism and the contributions of Holocaust survivors in the founding of Israel, asserting that attributing Israel's creation to a political decision by the UN undermines this history.
As tensions rise, particularly with ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, the CRIF president warned that such remarks could inadvertently bolster anti-Zionist sentiments, which often intersect with anti-Semitism. He expressed hope that despite these diplomatic disagreements, the longstanding friendship between France and Israel would endure.
- The controversy comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with France advocating for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. French officials have criticized Israeli military operations and their impact on UN peacekeeping forces in the region.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that Macron's comments were intended to remind Israel of its obligations under international law and the United Nations Charter, as stipulated by Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities in the region and the exclusive deployment of the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers.
