Israel’s foreign ministry has accused Emmanuel Macron of undertaking a ‘crusade against the Jewish state’ after he said the recognition of a Palestinian state, with conditions, is a ‘moral duty’.

Macron’s remark came just a day after Benjamin Netanyahu’s government announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Defence Minister Israel Katz has today vowed to build a ‘Jewish Israeli state’ in the territory and says the settlements should serve as ‘a clear message to the French president and his associates’.

It comes after Britain, France and Canada threatened Israel with sanctions unless it relents on plans to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.

The UK government has said it is suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and has introduced new sanctions on settlements in the West Bank in an effort to ramp up its criticism of the ongoing operation in Gaza.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK’s existing trade agreement with Israel remains in effect, but the government can’t continue discussions with an administration pursuing what he said were ‘egregious’ policies in the two territories.

During a visit to the site of the Sa-Nur settlement, Katz said: ‘This is a decisive response to the terrorist organisations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land – and it is also a clear message to (French President Emmanuel) Macron and his associates.

‘They will recognize a Palestinian state on paper — and we will build the Jewish-Israeli state on the ground. 

Israel ‘s Defence Minister Israel Katz has vowed to build a ‘Jewish Israeli state’ in the occupied West Bank, a day after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the territory

He called the announcement ‘a clear message to Emmanuel Macron and his associates’ in a statement made on Friday. Pictured: Katz meets with IDF officials at the site of the Sa-Nur settlement today

It comes just days after Britain, France and Canada threatened Israel with sanctions unless it relents on plans to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.  Pictured: Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Friday, May 30

‘The paper will be thrown in the trash can of history and the State of Israel will flourish and prosper,’ Katz declares.

‘Do not threaten us with sanctions because you will not bring us to our knees. The State of Israel will not bow its head in the face of threats.’

He added: ‘We are a people with a long and glorious history. We will stand tall and continue to lead the State of Israel on a safe and strong path, until victory.’

Sa-Nur was evacuated in 2005 alongside Israel’s disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

Katz’s visit there comes after the Israeli government approved the construction of 22 new settlements in the West Bank yesterday. 

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

During a visit to Singapore on Friday, President Macron asserted that recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, was ‘not only a moral duty, but a political necessity’.

Emmanuel Macron said the recognition of a Palestinian state, with conditions, is a ‘moral duty’. Pictured: Macron takes part in a press briefing with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Singapore on May 30, 2025

The UK government has said it is suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and has introduced new sanctions on settlements in the West Bank in an effort to ramp up its criticism of the ongoing operation in Gaza. Pictured: Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion on May 30

Katz said: ‘This is a decisive response to the terrorist organisations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land – and it is also a clear message to ( French President Emmanuel) Macron and his associates. They will recognize a Palestinian state on paper — and we will build the Jewish-Israeli state on the ground’

But Israel accused Macron of undertaking a ‘crusade against the Jewish state’ after he called for European countries to harden their stance on Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve.

Food security experts say starvation is looming for one in five people in Gaza after Israel enacted a months-long blockade on aid destined for the demolished Strip.

‘There is no humanitarian blockade. That is a blatant lie,’ Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement, defending its efforts to allow in aid. 

‘But instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt its national day will be October 7.’

An international conference meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is set to take place in June at the UN headquarters in New York.

A diplomat in Paris close to preparations for the conference said it should pave the way for more countries to recognise a Palestinian state.

Macron said in April that France could recognise a Palestinian state in June.

Following Israel’s announcement of the new settlements on Thursday, Britain called the move a ‘deliberate obstacle’ to Palestinian statehood, while UN chief Antonio Guterres’s spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution ‘in the wrong direction’.