Macron announced in July that France will recognize an independent Palestinian state, which already then made Netanyahu react strongly and accuse Macron of "rewarding terror".
Now he has written a letter to Macron, which the news agency AFP has read, and in it Netanyahu writes:
"Your decision to (recognize) a Palestinian state gives fuel to anti-Semitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement policy. It rewards Hamas terror and strengthens Hamas' refusal to release hostages, makes those who threaten French Jews bolder and encourages Jew-haters who now walk on your streets."
He also urges Macron in the letter to take care of anti-Semitism in France and to "replace inaction with action, concessions with solutions" and to do so by the Jewish New Year, September 23.
The French response came shortly after. In a statement, Macron's office writes that the letter is seriously incorrect and that "the republic protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens".
"This time requires seriousness and responsibility, not confusion and manipulation", it continues and promises that the letter "will not remain unanswered".
France was one of several European countries that announced in July that they intend to recognize a Palestinian state when the UN General Assembly opens in September.
Sweden recognized Palestine in October 2014.
