French President Macron Criticizes Israeli Minister’s Support for Far-Right Leader Marine Le Pen

French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chilkli for his public support of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally party. Chilkli described Le Pen as ‘excellent for Israel’ due to her stance on the International Criminal Court, Hamas, and anti-Semitism.

Macron expressed his disapproval during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, considering Chilkli’s comments as interference in France’s domestic matters. Netanyahu assured Macron that steps would be taken to prevent further comments on France’s internal issues.

An Israeli official referred to Chilkli’s comments as a ‘diplomatic bomb.’ Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz tweeted that Israel respects French democracy and is not involved in the French elections.

In other news, the Israel Defence Forces reported that Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked two terrorist infrastructures of Hezbollah in Lebanon.