'Israel's' deep dive into French politics exposed, causes controversy
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The Israeli "Diaspora" minister's meddling in French internal politics began long before the French President called the election, a new report by Haaretz reveals.
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National Rally leader Marine Le Pen arrives for the party's election night party following the early results of the second round of France's legislative election in Paris on July 7, 2024. (AFP)
Following the far-right's defeat in the French election, Israeli and French diplomatic officials are criticizing "Diaspora' Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli for his behavior during the campaign and his outspoken support for French nationalist leader Marine Le Pen, Haaretz reported Monday.
An Israeli official involved in bilateral relations described Chikli's actions as "a diplomatic bomb." Several other diplomats told Haaretz that Chikli's behavior damaged relations with France.
In recent weeks, since French President Emmanuel Macron called a snap election, Chikli has been very vocal in his support for Le Pen's party, which was aiming for a parliamentary majority for the first time in its history.
In late June, Chikli shared a video of Le Pen's prime ministerial candidate, Jordan Bardella. A week ago, in an interview for Israeli Reshet Bet Radio, he stated that it would be excellent for "Israel" if Le Pen were elected president of France, despite the fact that the current election was for the French parliament, not the presidency.
Chikli not only expressed his personal support for Le Pen but also mentioned in the same interview that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his view and also wanted to see the far-right politician rise to power in France.
Israeli lobbying deep into a France’s political sphere
Chikli's meddling in French internal politics began long before Macron called the election.
In late May, Chikli attended a conference of right-wing nationalist parties in Europe, just days before the European Parliament elections in which Le Pen's party achieved its best-ever results. In a social media post where he praised Le Pen, Chikli also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, noting that Le Pen spoke at a pro-"Israel" rally after October 7, while Macron "chose not to attend."
Chikli's support for Le Pen did not go unnoticed by the French Foreign Ministry or the French Embassy in "Israel", as per Haaretz.
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However, both refrained from officially responding to avoid escalating tensions in Israeli-French relations, which had already been strained by months of condemning headlines due to French criticism of the Israeli war on Gaza and the decision to ban Israeli companies from the main armaments exhibition in Paris.
Downplaying the Israeli lobbying in French politics
Following the controversy caused by Chikli's actions, Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted on X as the French election began, claiming, "Israel does not intervene in elections in France and respects French democracy – just as we expect other countries to respect Israeli democracy."
An Israeli diplomatic source said, as quoted by Haaretz, that Chikli is operating independently in his dealings with far-right parties in Europe. He alleged that Foreign Ministry professionals are often unaware of the meetings he holds or his statements on the subject.
"He associates with parties we approach with caution and is essentially conducting his own personal foreign policy," the source said, as quoted by Haaretz, stressing that "France is just one example."
