Israel on Thursday said it would not agree to a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron so long as Paris plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
The statement came following a phone call between Israel's Foreign Minister and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot.
Saar told Barrot, "there is no room" for a presidential visit "as long as France persists in its initiative and efforts that harm Israel's interests," Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had rejected a request by Macron to make a brief visit ahead of the U.N. General Assembly later this month, where the president plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Paris should "reconsider its initiative," Saar told Barrot, claiming that the move would undermine regional stability and harm "Israel's national and security interests."
