France-Israel: the key dates of a complicated diplomatic relationship

• Emmanuel Macron announced the French recognition of a Palestinian state.
• A decision strongly denounced by Israel.
• Back on the complicated relationship between France and the Hebrew state.

Between France and Israel, diplomatic relations are far from being a long, quiet river. Latest example: the announcement Thursday, July 24, by Emmanuel Macron of the recognition of a Palestinian state at the next United Nations General Assembly, next September.

The French decision “Terreu rewardR, “castigated Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, in reference to the unprecedented attack in Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

However in 1948, during the creation of the State of Israel, General de Gaulle was already pronounced in favor of the sharing plan which provided for the creation of two states, a Jewish state and an Arab state.

If the 1950s were a period of friendship and cooperation punctuated by the reception at the Élysée de David Benrion, one of the founders of the State of Israel, by General de Gaulle, the first real break in 1967.

A sawtooth relationship

During the six -day war, Charles de Gaulle denounces “a Jewish people, sure of himself and dominator“. Paris even ceases to deliver weapons to the Hebrew state. A first betrayal according to Israel.

After a few years of tension, François Mitterrand moved to Israel in 1982. This is the first visit to a French head of state in Israel. During a historical speech before the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, François Mitterrand praises the friendship between the two countries while advocating a two -state solution in the conflict with the Palestinians.

In 1996, Jacques Chirac went to Jerusalem and obtained a huge gain in popularity in the Arab world after an incident with an Israeli policeman during his trip. In the early 2000s, finally, relations became freezing between the two countries. During the second intifada, Yasser Arafat, then president of the Palestinian authority, came to die in 2004 in Paris.

Finally in 2023, after Hamas’ terrorist attack, Emmanuel Macron offers a coalition against Hamas, which will never see the light of day.

Over time, the French executive is increasingly critical of the military operations carried out by Israel in the Palestinian enclave. “”France calls for a ceasefire as quickly as possible and the lifting of the humanitarian blockade. The scandal, the unacceptable that is played in Gaza is that. And this is what, since the beginning of March, is a shame“, notably claimed Emmanuel Macron, last June in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes).

Now, one of the ministers of the Israeli cabinet speaks of “Black spot in the history of France“, After the announcement of the recognition of the Palestinian state by Emmanuel Macron.