Macron Condemns Israeli Minister's Endorsement of Far-Right Le Pen

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chilkli for supporting Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader of the French National Rally party, considering the comments as interference in France's domestic matters. Netanyahu promised actions to prevent further controversial statements from Israeli officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized comments made by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chilkli as "unacceptable" after Chilkli endorsed Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader of France's National Rally party, ahead of the parliamentary elections. Al Jazeera reported Chilkli claimed Le Pen would be beneficial for Israel, citing Israeli news outlets.

Macron expressed his objections directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via a phone call, highlighting his concerns about Chilkli's comments. Both leaders agreed that the issue was not a personal matter, but Macron insisted it constituted undue interference in French domestic affairs.

Chilkli's support for Le Pen is reportedly based on her stance towards the International Criminal Court, her positions on Hamas, and the Jewish community's fight against anti-Semitism. Nevertheless, Macron found these endorsements problematic and stressed their inappropriateness.

During the phone call, Netanyahu assured Macron that measures would be taken to prevent Israeli officials from making further comments on France's internal matters. An Israeli official later described Chilkli's remarks as a "diplomatic bomb," according to Haaretz.

Marine Le Pen and the National Rally party have adopted a pro-Israel stance in recent years, attempting to shake off accusations of anti-Semitism rooted in comments made by her father, the party's founder, who infamously called Nazi gas chambers a "detail of history." Despite the controversy, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reiterated that Israel respects French democracy and is not involved in the French elections.

In related news, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the Israel Air Force (IAF) conducted airstrikes against two terrorist infrastructures of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The targets were in the Janta and Rashit areas, deep within Lebanese territory.