Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu, June 5, 2018 in Paris. - Eliot Blondet / Sipa

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon any plans to annex the Palestinian Territories. "He reminded her of France's commitment to peace in the Middle East and asked her to refrain from taking any measures to annex the Palestinian Territories," reported the Elysee on Friday, the day after a telephone interview between the two leaders.

"He stressed that such a measure would be contrary to international law and would compromise the possibility of a two-state solution such as the establishment of a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. "

A plan to annex notably the Jordan Valley

According to the agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and his ex-rival Benny Gantz, their unity government can decide on the implementation of the American plan for the Middle East. This plan provides in particular for the annexation by Israel of the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements established in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory that the Hebrew state has occupied since 1967.

Paris had already warned Israel at the end of June against such an annexation, which "would affect" its relations with the European Union and stressed that Paris remained "determined" to recognize "when the time comes" the Palestinian state.

"France's unwavering commitment"

In the same interview Thursday, Emmanuel Macron "reiterated France's unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and its determination to work for the easing of tensions in the Middle East. He expressed his attachment to the friendship and trust which bind France and Israel, "said the Elysee.

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