French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron Condemns 'Israeli Colonialism' Macron's caustic comments mark the first time the new Prime Minister has made a public statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
New French President Emmanuel Macron met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday, and the leader has strong words of criticism for "Israeli colonialism."
The two diplomats met in France where they signed an agreement to establish a French language high school in Ramallah, and agreed to organize a joint seminar over the next few months.
Macron had some scathing words for Israel, saying that France condemns [Israel's] ongoing colonization process, which remains illegal with regards to international law." Yesterday's press conference marked the first time that Macron has made a public statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although he has expressed opposition to a unilaterally recognized Palestinian state in the past. Macron is widely considered more pro-Israel than his predecessor, François Hollande, and has publicly taken a strong stance against BDS. But France has also held a pro-Arab line since the 1960s, when then-leader Charles de Gaulle cancelled arms sales to Israel and imposed an embargo. In 2016, France voted in favor of the controversial UN Security Council resolution that condemned Israeli settlements, including those in Jerusalem. Macron is expected to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris on July 16th.