Overview

• In a letter seen by AFP, Benjamin Netanyahu wrote that Emmanuel Macron’s push rewards Hamas, hardens hostage stances, and encourages antisemitism in France.
• He pressed Macron to take stronger action against antisemitism by the Jewish New Year on September 23.
• France has confirmed it will pursue recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next month.
• An AFP tally counts at least 145 UN members recognizing or planning to recognize Palestine, with Australia, Britain, and Canada among recent additions.
• Tensions with Australia escalated after Canberra canceled far-right Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman’s visa and Israel revoked visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, drawing a rebuke from Foreign Minister Penny Wong as Netanyahu also attacked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.