Netanyahu says Palestinian state would be ‘huge prize for terror’ in call with Macron

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister’s Office says.

According to the PMO, Netanyahu told Macron that a Palestinian state would be a “huge prize for terror,” noting that no Palestinian official, including from the Palestinian Authority, has condemned the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.

“The prime minister told the French president that a Palestinian state that is established a few minutes from Israeli cities will be a stronghold for Iranian terror and that a large majority of the Israeli public firmly opposes this – and this is also his consistent and long-standing policy.”

Last week, Macron said Paris could recognize a Palestinian state in the coming months.

Netanyahu’s son, Yair, posted a tweet saying “screw you” to Macron after his announcement. While critiquing his son’s language, Netanyahu endorsed Yair’s sentiment.