President of France, who came to Israel ahead of the Holocaust forum, said the following during his meeting with President Rivlin in Jerusalem • "The dark shadow of anti-Semitism is spreading its wings in Europe"

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday in his meeting with President Reuben Rivlin that "anti-Zionism is nothing more than anti-Semitism." Rivlin greeted President Macron at the President's House and said he greatly appreciated his participation in the Holocaust Forum conference. "Our commitment to Holocaust memory and the fight against anti-Semitism also connects us. I know you are committed to the fight against anti-Semitism, both in your words and in your actions," he told Rivlin.

Macron meeting and President Rivlin

Initially, the President of the State and President of France met briefly with Chief of Staff Major General Aviv Kochavi who was invited to a meeting in light of the importance the President sees in presenting operational complexity in our region first hand. The French President thanked the President and the Chief of Staff for the review which included references to the current challenges in the various arenas.

The President thanked President Macron for arriving for this important cause and said: "I know that you are personally committed to combating anti-Semitism for all its manifestations: in the synagogues, on the street, on the Internet, in politics and of course in deeds. Unfortunately, even today we hear of cases of persecution and violence. Against anti-Semitic and racist backgrounds in France and around the world, a clear voice must be made to condemn these cases and to act uncompromisingly to make sure they do not fall in. Legal, educational, and enforcement levels must be adopted. The adoption of the IHRA for anti-Semitism in all its forms is an important step of the French government. To the fight against anti-Semitism and we want to thank you for that

"As the French National Assembly recently acknowledged, in a measure that we greatly appreciate, the refuge of anti-Semites in recent years is in anti-Zionism. Like any democracy, the State of Israel is open to criticism but we will not challenge our right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state in our homeland, and we will not accept the claims against Exercising our right and duty to protect our citizens. "

The President also referred the Palestinian court to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, saying: "The State of Israel is a strong, democratic state that can defend itself and, if necessary, investigate itself with regard to human rights and warfare. The referral of the Palestinians to the International Criminal Court is an attempt. Push the tribunal to the political field, and its purpose is to drag the international institutions to decide policy and political questions that need to be resolved in the negotiations between the parties and not in the context of criminal proceedings.

President Rivlin and French President Macaron // Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

"The ICC International Criminal Court does not have the ability, authority and authority to deal with these issues. Calling the court to exceed its authority not only violates its judicial character but also completely disassociates with its judicial integrity. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is complex and sensitive, requires building trust. And for that we must strive. "

The President of France thanked the President for hospitality and said: "I am so happy that this is actually my first visit here in Israel as President of the French Republic. Just a year ago we were together on your State visit to Paris, it was a very exciting and exciting coverage and at these moments I really want to hold back your wife's memory. From us. "

Macron added: "As I pledged to you, Honorable President, I came to Israel to represent France at the World Holocaust Remembrance Forum, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Ashwitz-Birkenau together. I came for Israel, for what the Holocaust represents and for the Holocaust, to carry with you The important call against anti-Semitism. " He said: "We see the dark shadow of anti-Semitism spreading wings in Europe and France and this is always a sign that there is an issue here that is a very big disease."

Macron expanded on France's efforts to fight anti-Semitism, saying: "I will continue, committed and mobilized, to fight resolutely against all anti-Semitism, against racism and hatred and all those who divide our society. We decided to discuss directly and clearly the issue of anti-Zionism as anti-Zionism. Nothing but antisemitism, "Macron said," This does not mean that one must not argue, it is clear that friends are allowed to argue. But there is no doubt that today's denial of Israel's right to exist is a modern version of anti-Semitism. And so we made decisions and we will continue to make decisions in every way. Legal in the phenomena of hatred, racism and anti-Semitism. "

Netanyahu to Macron: "We need sanctions against Iran"

At a meeting this morning between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Macron, Netanyahu called on the French president to join pressure and sanctions on Iran, following its nuclear and aggressive actions in the region.
In addition, the two discussed the situation in Lebanon and the Hezbollah's precise missile production project. Prime Minister Netanyahu also discussed with President Macron what was happening in Libya in light of Turkish involvement in the country.

Netanyahu and Macron meeting // Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO

The prime minister and the president have decided on strategic dialogue, in order to continue to strengthen cooperation between the states and to achieve the objectives in relation to regional issues as well. Netanyahu congratulated the French president on her request to join the Cairo Regional Gas Forum, in cooperation with Israel, which is involved in regional natural gas cooperation and the export of gas from Israel.

At the end of the meeting, Netanyahu said: "I have just finished a pleasant, warm and very productive work meeting, at breakfast, with my friend French President Emmanuel Macron. This meeting covered many topics - Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Libya and several other issues.

Netanyahu and Macron Meeting

"We have agreed to establish a strategic dialogue between Israel and France, to allow us to continue to cooperate with the common interests. This is a very important change in Israel's foreign policy, which can help us for things that are very important for the security of the state. I commended Emanuel Macron for his firm stance against The anti-Semitism, for example, was also reflected in his visit here in Jerusalem. I also called on him to deal with the case of Sarah Halimi's murderer, and to extradite a murderer who murdered Jews in France, who is now in Ramallah and should be extradited to France. He promised to check those two things. "

The two meetings were also held in light of the dissatisfaction expressed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry due to Macron's expected meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen.