Hey amigos, grab your ☕️ – diplomatic drama alert! 🔥 Israel is threatening to close the French Consulate in Jerusalem after France announced it will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN this September.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharon Haskel spilled the tea to France Info, saying the 'closure is now on Prime Minister Netanyahu's desk.' Then Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot to demand a rethink. Rumor has it President Macron might even lose his welcome mat if Paris doesn't back down! 😱
Why the showdown? Israel argues Paris' move undermines Middle East stability and its national security. Meanwhile, Israel is under fire to end its Gaza operations and bring home hostages, a humanitarian crisis many say has gone too far.
France isn't alone: the UK, Portugal, Canada and others are joining Macron's recognition train. But Netanyahu says these unilateral steps rail against prior agreements with the PLO, hinting Israel might strike back—without revealing how. 🤐
Even across the pond, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Europe that recognizing a Palestinian state could lead Israel to annex parts of the West Bank. And hinting at US frustration, he said “we told them it'd make a Gaza ceasefire harder.”
Adding fuel, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed maps are drawn for West Bank annexation—a move the UAE calls a 'red line' for its ties with Israel.
So, what's next? Will Paris step off the recognition pedal, or will Israel press that shut-down button on the consulate? Stay tuned for the next plot twist in this high-stakes diplomatic saga! ✈️🌍
Reference(s):
'Closure of Consulate': Israel threatens France over Palestine move
cgtn.com
