Knesset members called for West Bank annexation, blamed France's immigration policy and said France was contributing to terrorism, in response to Macron's promise to recognize a Palestinian State.
Israeli politicians and officials, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reacted swiftly and harshly to French President Macron's announcement on Thursday that his country plans to recognize the State of Palestine in September.
In a statement issued just hours after Macron's bombshell announcement, Netanyahu said that Israel "strongly condemn[s] President Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state next to Tel Aviv in the wake of the October 7 massacre."
Echoing earlier statements by his senior ministers, Netanyahu said that "such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel - not to live in peace beside it. Let's be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly denounced Macron's Palestinian state, calling it "reckless" and counterproductive to peace efforts in the region.
"The United States strongly rejects Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly," Rubio posted. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."
Hamas, for its part, welcomed Macron's announcement, calling it a positive step toward achieving justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people.
In a statement, the Islamist terror group urged other countries, particularly in Europe, to follow France's lead and reaffirmed its goal of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would not allow establishment of a Palestinian entity that would "harm our security and endanger our existence."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked the French President for "giving us a reason to finally administer Israeli sovereignty on the native regions of Judea and Samaria."
Justice Minister Yariv Levin and MK Avigdor Lieberman said France was directly contributing to terror. Levin called for annexing the West Bank.
MK Yuli Edelstein hinted Islamist motives were behind the decision. "The State of Israel is following with concern Islamist immigration and its influence on the decision-making of the leaders of the French Republic," he wrote. "I wish the French people success in their struggle for their identity and freedom."
The Knesset chairman, Amir Ohana, said "Macron just awarded Hamas a prize for carrying out a massacre on October 7."
"This shameful act is nothing less than a betrayal by one of the so-called 'leaders' of the free world," he wrote. "I am ashamed to have met this man. I love France. It deserves braver leadership."