PARIS — Israel-France relations appear to have reached a historical nadir as the Gaza war nears the two-year mark and as France prepares to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly summit in New York next week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to convince Israelis that international isolation is unavoidable, that the war against Hamas must continue at all costs and that the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza should be overlooked, French President Emmanuel Macron’s special adviser, Ofer Bronchtein, told Al-Monitor.

Speaking to Al-Monitor days before the French recognition move, Bronchtein warned that Netanyahu and his associates are mounting a smear campaign against the French president, portraying him as a major supporter of Hamas, even though the recognition of Palestine and the road map for a two-state solution, to be officially endorsed by Macron Monday night, are intended to also serve Israel’s best interests, Bronchtein says. 

The Israeli government has said France's recognition move will serve as a reward for Hamas for carrying out the Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel, in which 42 French citizens were killed, and will further fuel antisemitism in France and Europe.