From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Macron complained to Netanyahu after Likud minister publicly backed Marine Le Pen
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
During their phone call last week, French President Emmanuel Macron protested to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments made by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, a French official tells The Times of Israel.
The official confirms earlier reporting by the Walla news outlet.
The day before last Wednesday’s call, Chikli indicated in an interview that the Israeli leadership would be happy to see Marine Le Pen of France’s far-right National Rally party eventually become president of the country.
הייתה לי הזכות לפגוש בשבוע שעבר את מארין לה פן @MLP_officiel בכנס מפלגת ווקס @vox_es במדריד. שוחחנו על מצב האנטישמיות והאסלאם הקיצוני בצרפת ומלחמתנו בטרור.
לה פן הייתה הפוליטיקאית הבכירה ביותר שהגיעה לעצרת הזדהות עם הקהילה היהודית בעקבות אירועי השבעה באוקטובר, עצרת שהנשיא… https://t.co/cpvyU0SFfk pic.twitter.com/JlWryb1V6U
— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) May 30, 2024
Speaking to the Kan public broadcaster, Chikli noted Le Pen’s support for Israel and her recent participation in a march against antisemitism, which Macron did not attend.
“It is excellent for Israel that she will be the president of France, with 10 exclamation marks,” he said. Asked whether his party leader, Netanyahu, agrees, Chikli said: “I think I and Netanyahu are of the same opinion.”
National Rally ultimately finished in third, behind a left-wing alliance and Macron’s centrist bloc.
The Times of Israel Community.