The chargé d'affaires of the French Embassy in Israel was summoned for a reprimand (démarche) with Foreign Ministry Director-General Eden Bar-Tal, amid French President Emmanuel Macron's declaration that he will recognize a Palestinian state. The Foreign Ministry reported that the meeting, initiated by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, took place recently at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. It was further stated that "the Director-General said during the meeting that France chose to harm Israel in its most difficult hour. In doing so, France directly undermined negotiations for the return of hostages and a ceasefire as well as any diplomatic negotiations that will take place in the future."