France on Tuesday strongly dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that President Emmanuel Macron was fueling antisemitism, insisting it has “no lessons to learn” on the matter.
"I would like to say very clearly and very firmly that this issue of antisemitism, which is poisoning our European societies... cannot be exploited," Benjamin Haddad said on broadcaster BFMTV.
France "protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens," the Elysee said, adding that a letter from Netanyahu containing his allegation "will not go unanswered."
"This is a time for seriousness and responsibility, not for conflation and manipulation," the Elysee added.
Netanyahu rebuked Macron in a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, accusing him of fueling antisemitism by announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
