Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken directly for the first time since the French President suggested his country could recognise a Palestinian state this year — comments which prompted a fiery response from the Israeli leader's son.
In a phone call on Tuesday, Mr Macron said he reiterated support for "the security of Israel and its people" and said the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the demilitarisation of the group remained his priority.
But the President also insisted a ceasefire was needed in Gaza and called for humanitarian aid to flow once more — something Israel has blocked for more than a month, in a bid to pressure Hamas.
"The ordeal suffered by the civilian population of Gaza must end," he posted on social media platform X.
"I hope that the next few hours will allow such a decision and the release of other hostages.
"Ceasefire, release of all hostages, humanitarian aid, and finally reopening the prospect of a two-state political solution."
Late last week Mr Macron said France could take the step of recognising a Palestinian state at a United Nations conference in June, during a television interview following an official trip to Egypt.
France, like Australia, has maintained a policy of working towards a 'two-state solution' to bring peace to the Middle East, but has not gone so far as to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Neither has Australia.
Mr Macron said France's position was for "a Palestinian state without Hamas."
"I support the legitimate right of Palestinians to a state and to peace, just as I support the right of Israelis to live in peace and security, both recognised by their neighbours."
The French president's comments prompted Benjamin Netanyahu's son Yair.
"Screw you," he posted on X on Saturday, before calling for the independence of the overseas territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
Mr Netanyahu had earlier criticised his son's language, but agreed with his point — and reiterated the position in his phone call on Tuesday.
"The prime minister expressed strong opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying that this would constitute a huge reward for terrorism," Mr Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
"The prime minister reminded the French president that to date, no Palestinian official — including in the Palestinian Authority — has condemned the October 7 massacre, and that in the Palestinian Authority their children are being educated to destroy Israel and financial rewards are being given to murderers of Jews.
"The prime minister told the French President that a Palestinian state established minutes away from Israeli cities would be a stronghold of Iranian terrorism, and that a vast majority of the Israeli public is resolutely opposed to this — and this is also his consistent and long-standing policy."
Mr Macron had also discussed the issue with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas earlier in the week, floating the idea of reforming the PA as part of any peace process in Gaza.
In total, 147 of the 193 UN Member states recognise Palestinian statehood — 10 have done so in recent months, since the war in Gaza began.
None of the G7 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Germany recognise Palestine.
