During their phone call last week, French President Emmanuel Macron protested to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments made by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, a French official tells The Times of Israel.

The official confirms earlier reporting by the Walla news outlet.

• The day before last Wednesday’s call, Chikli indicated in an interview that the Israeli leadership would be happy to see Marine Le Pen of France’s far-right National Rally party eventually become president of the country.

הייתה לי הזכות לפגוש בשבוע שעבר את מארין לה פן @MLP_officiel בכנס מפלגת ווקס @vox_es במדריד. שוחחנו על מצב האנטישמיות והאסלאם הקיצוני בצרפת ומלחמתנו בטרור.

לה פן הייתה הפוליטיקאית הבכירה ביותר שהגיעה לעצרת הזדהות עם הקהילה היהודית בעקבות אירועי השבעה באוקטובר, עצרת שהנשיא… https://t.co/cpvyU0SFfk pic.twitter.com/JlWryb1V6U

— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) May 30, 2024

Speaking to the Kan public broadcaster, Chikli noted Le Pen’s support for Israel and her recent participation in a march against antisemitism, which Macron did not attend.

• “It is excellent for Israel that she will be the president of France, with 10 exclamation marks,” he said.
• Asked whether his party leader, Netanyahu, agrees, Chikli said: “I think I and Netanyahu are of the same opinion.”

National Rally ultimately finished in third, behind a left-wing alliance and Macron’s centrist bloc.

Source: TOI