Macron Condemns Israeli Minister's Endorsement of French Far-Right Leader

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chilkli's endorsement of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, calling it 'unacceptable.' Macron expressed his concerns to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Chilkli defended his position based on Le Pen's stance on Israel-related issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron has labeled comments by Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chilkli as 'unacceptable' after Chilkli publicly endorsed Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader of France's National Rally party, ahead of the parliamentary elections, according to Al Jazeera. Chilkli had remarked that Le Pen would be 'excellent for Israel', Al Jazeera reported, citing Israeli media.

In response, Macron contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to voice his objections, Al Jazeera revealed. 'I think Netanyahu and I share the same perspective. This isn't a personal issue,' Chilkli stated, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Chilkli justified his support for Le Pen based on her positions on the International Criminal Court, Hamas, and anti-Semitism. Macron, in the conversation, deemed these comments as interference in France's domestic affairs. Netanyahu promised to take steps to prevent further remarks on the matter, an Israeli official referred to Chilkli's comments as a 'diplomatic bomb,' according to Haaretz.

Le Pen and her party's pro-Israel stance seeks to dispel accusations of anti-Semitism, a legacy from her father, the party's founder, who referred to Nazi gas chambers as a 'detail of history.' Foreign Minister Israel Katz reassured that Israel remains uninvolved in the French elections and respects French democracy.

Separately, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that the Israel Air Force (IAF) attacked Hezbollah's air defense infrastructure in Lebanon during the night, targeting sites in Janta and Rashit, as reported by ANI.