Israeli minister's support for Le Pen causing tensions in France-Israel ties
Reports that French President Emmanuel Macron confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about statements championing the far-right's Marine Le Pen signal the dangers of the Israeli government siding with European populists.
PARIS — Efforts by an Israeli cabinet minister to improve ties with French far-right groups is threatening bilateral relations between Israel and France, especially in view of the French far-left and left-wing coalition receiving the most votes in the second round of parliamentarian elections held July 7.
Israeli news outlet Walla revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron on July 2 voiced his displeasure to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a statement by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, who earlier that day had expressed support for the far-right National Rally and its leader, Marine Le Pen, after the party's solid performance in first-round voting.
Interviewed July 2 by Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, Chikli spoke approvingly of the possibility of Le Pen leading France.
“It is excellent for Israel that she will be the president of France, with 10 exclamation marks,” said Chikli, a Likud member. Asked whether Netanyahu agreed with this sentiment, Chikli said, “I think I and Netanyahu are of the same opinion.”
