Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for remarks accusing France of inaction in the fight against antisemitism, calling the comments an 'offense' to the entire country.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron stressed in a letter published by French daily Le Monde that combating antisemitism is an 'absolute priority' for France but warned that it 'cannot be exploited.' He asserted that accusations of inaction in combating antisemitism are unacceptable and offensive to France as a whole.

Macron further criticized Netanyahu, urging him to cease what he termed Israel's 'deadly and illegal headlong rush into a permanent war in Gaza.' He mentioned that the ongoing offensive exposes Israel to indignity and leads its people into a dead end. Macron also condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing them as 'illegal and unjustifiable recolonization,' and urged Israel to reverse these policies as they undermine prospects for peace.

Netanyahu had previously accused Paris of not doing enough to curb antisemitism, a statement that received sharp criticism from French officials. The conflict has resulted in nearly 63,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza since October 2023, with the enclave facing severe devastation and famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.