Israel plans to close the French consulate in Jerusalem, in retaliation for the recognition by France of the State of Palestine, according to “Israel Hayom”
As a “Reprisals” to the commitment of President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the State of Palestine, “Israel should close the French consulate in Jerusalem”, report Israel Hayom. According to the Israeli daily newspaper, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Israeli, Gideon Saar, recommended this measure to the Prime Minister last week, taking over an idea pushed by the Minister of Affairs of the Diaspora, Amichai Chikli, for several months.
At a meeting of the Israeli cabinet on Sunday August 17, Mr. Chikli said: “The decision taken by [Emmanuel] Macron to launch the creation of a State of Palestine seriously harmed the hostages and the State of Israel, and no declaration on this issue will be enough. “He called to take” drastic measures against France, nationalizing its property in Jerusalem and closing the consulate ”, report Israel Hayom.
According to the same source, Gideon Saar announced on this occasion that the consulate closure process would begin in parallel with that for the recognition of the Palestinian State, at the United Nations General Assembly (UN) in September.
It was the consul general of France in Jerusalem, Nicolas Kassianides, who had brought the missive to Mahmoud Abbas, Thursday July 24, teaching him that France was committed to the full recognition of Palestine as a State. “The consulate acts provocatively”, argued an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, believing that “France is currently leading an anti-Israelian line”.
In Paris, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures that it has not been contacted on this subject. “We have not been informed by the Israeli authorities of such a measure which would particularly harm our bilateral relationship and lead to a strong reaction”, Declares the Quai d’Orsay.
