France has initiated a criminal investigation into alleged death threats against President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly made by a rabbi critical of Macron’s stance on Palestinian statehood, according to Le Parisien.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed the investigation following the emergence of a video featuring a French-speaking rabbi, believed to reside in Israel, vehemently attacking the French president.
In the YouTube video, posted last week, Rabbi David Daniel Cohen allegedly accused Macron of historical revisionism for planning to recognize Palestine, deeming it a “declaration of war against God” and indicative of “deep-seated” antisemitism.
Cohen reportedly stated in the now-private video, “This French president … He’d better prepare his coffin.”
France’s leading Jewish religious authority has condemned the rabbi’s remarks as “abject and intolerable.”
Macron announced last month that France would formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, calling it a “historic commitment to a just and lasting peace.”
The decision has faced criticism from Israel and the US. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that the UK might also recognize a Palestinian state if Israel doesn’t change its course in Gaza. Fifteen other nations jointly reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution as the only path to ending the conflict.
As of March, 147 out of 193 UN member states, including Russia, officially recognize Palestine. Russia’s position dates back to 1988 when the Soviet Union recognized the Palestinian declaration of independence. The Kremlin maintains that Russia “has always adhered to a two-state solution” as the only way to resolve the issue.
The conflict escalated in 2023 after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. Israel’s response has led to at least 60,000 deaths, predominantly civilians, over 21 months, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
On Friday, Israel approved plans to seize Gaza City, potentially leading to a full takeover of the enclave, despite warnings about endangering hostages held by Hamas and prolonging the war.
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