Macron Tries Outreach to American Jews, Is Rebuffed

On July 24, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that at the opening meeting of the UN General Assembly this September he would recognize the “state of Palestine.” That announcement got the insidious ball rolling. Macron’s statement was followed by similar ones from the U.K., Australia, Canada, and Belgium. He was short on details, unable to set out the boundaries of this new state, or to describe what would happen to the 700,000 Israelis who now live in Judea, Samaria, and east Jerusalem, or to explain how the government of this “Palestine” would be able to prevent Hamas terrorists from being democratically elected. But it was a more of a symbolic statement of support for those who want to see Israel replaced “from the river to the sea” by a 23rd Arab state. Hamas was very pleased.

Now Macron, hoping to repair relations with American Jewry — he’s keenly aware that his promise to recognize the state of Palestine has infuriated many of those Jews, as well as non-Jewish members of the Trump administration — tried to arrange a meeting with them on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting. But he’s been rebuffed across the board. The American Jewish organizations are well aware of Macron’s lack of sympathy for the Jewish state. And they also know he has done far too little to make French Jews more secure as they endure an epidemic of antisemitism.

More on Macron’s failed attempt at outreach with American Jewish leaders can be found here: “Macron’s Meeting with American Jewry ‘Won’t Happen’ Amid Palestinian Recognition Drive, Surge in Antisemitism,” Algemeiner, September 6, 2025:

French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to set up a meeting with American Jewish leaders later this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

i24NEWS has learned that the meeting won’t happen, firstly because Macron was only available for the meeting ahead of the UN General Assembly during Rosh Hashanah, and yet, a person invited to meet with Macron and who has knowledge of the discussions told i24NEWS the sit-down simply wasn’t going to happen, anyway.

“I think the organizations, for the most part, would not have participated,” the person said, adding that AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee would have likely received invitations, among other entities.

“The guy has a 15% popularity rating in France. It’s not our job to help him out,” the person said.

Macron is deeply unpopular in France for all sorts of reasons. That includes his anti-Israel animus, and his failure to address antisemitism, which has caused him to lose all support among French Jewry, and among other French people, too, who are appalled at his courting of the Muslim vote and refusal to address the Muslim immigration problem that is tearing France apart.

Asked by i24NEWS whether Macron’s push for greater Palestinian state recognition or his lack of action in tackling antisemitism at home led to the stance of organized American Jewry, the person said it’s more of “the climate” which allows one to say ‘Look, the American Jews met with me,’ regardless of the content.”

American Jewry understands that Macron wanted to have the meeting in order to present himself as, despite appearances, a “friend of the Jews.” But those Jews were having none of it. They will not be props in his self-justifying play.

The person said they are sure, if a meeting would have happened, that everybody in the room would have taken a hard line with Macron, including his “statements on Israel, the failure to respond to antisemitism” and France’s announcement this summer that it will recognize a Palestinian state later this month, and is leading an effort to get more countries to do the same.

Had the meeting with Macron taken place, it would not have been a soothing affair. Instead, American Jewish groups were prepared to light into him for his intention to recognize a “state of Palestine,” and for his failure to adequately address the antisemitic attacks that have caused such anxiety and dread among French Jews.

But, the person told i24NEWS they are convinced that, in the end, while no final decision actually had to be taken, there was enough pressure that a consensus would have been reached to decline the meeting.

Of the timing of Rosh Hashanah allowing for leadership to not be forced to officially say no to Macron, the person said “G-d saves us every time.”…

Instead of turning the French president down flat, American Jews can instead use as their excuse not to meet with Macron the fact that the only date he had available fell on Rosh Hashanah.

Macron’s other attempt to patch things up with world Jewry was a meeting he tried to arrange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the Prime Minister’s office put the kibosh on that, declaring such a meeting “inappropriate.” Netanyahu remains furious with Macron. And Israel has made clear that it will retaliate in various ways against the French president for his intention to recognize the “state of Palestine,” including the possible closing of the French consulate in Jerusalem that is used by Palestinians.

Macron is out far and in deep with his anti-Israel animus. He’s determined to recognize a “state of Palestine,” no matter what the harm that does to Israel’s international standing. He’s not addressed the epidemic of antisemitic attacks by Muslims in France, unlike Marine Le Pen, Jordan Bardella, and Eric Zemmour. His transparent attempt to win back support among American Jews, by meeting with them, won’t take place. And if it did, any attempt by Macron to justify his pro-Palestinian policy would be shouted down. American Jews, like the Jews in France, have had it with Emmanuel Macron.