Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has recommended that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu close the French consulate in Jerusalem in response to the process France has been leading in recent months for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, Israel Hayom has learned. The official decision is expected soon, after the issue was raised in Sunday's cabinet meeting.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said in the cabinet meeting that French President Emmanuel Macron's step in leading the initiative for a Palestinian state
"has struck a severe blow to the hostages and to the State of Israel, and no statement of ours on the subject is sufficient." Chikli added that "drastic steps are required against France, and chiefly among them is the nationalization of its assets in Jerusalem, mainly the closure of the consulate."
In response to Chikli's words, Sa'ar confirmed that the last step is being considered and revealed that he recommended it in detail to Prime Minister Netanyahu. The French move is expected to reach its peak in September at the UN.
