Netanyahu slams French FM who warned of 'Israel's apartheid'

PM calls the Jewish state a 'beacon of democracy' in the region, following accusations made by top French diplomat, who claimed Israel might turn into an apartheid country if two state solution is not reached
Sivan Hilaie|
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed France’s foreign minister, who warned that Israel is on its way to becoming an apartheid state.
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  • Jean-Yves Le Drian made the statement in an interview with Berlin-based RTL Radio and Le Figaro newspaper while discussing possible solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “If, in the future there will be option for a solution other than the two-states, we would have the ingredients for long-lasting apartheid,” said Le Drian.
    2 View gallery
    French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, looks on as he meets with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon
    French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, looks on as he meets with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon
    French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian
    (Photo: AP)
    "I want to express a strong protest against the French government over the outrageous statement of the French Foreign Minister,” said Netanyahu in a speech during an event, commemorating the 16 Jewish fighters killed on the Altalena ship in 1948.
    “He said Israel could become an apartheid state. The statement has no basis, in Israel everyone is equal before the law.
    “Israel is the beacon of democracy in our region, the only true democracy in our region - this has always been and will always be and we will not tolerate any sermons on this issue,” added the prime minister.
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    בנימין נתניהו בטקס לזכר חללי האלטלנה
    בנימין נתניהו בטקס לזכר חללי האלטלנה
    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
    (Photo: Yariv Katz)
    He also addressed the recent war against Gaza’s terror factions, which served to further heighten tensions between Jews and Israeli Arab inside Israel.
    “We must showcase alertness and firmness. We must, however, not be reckless. When terrorists sent UAVs [into Israel], or when an armed Iranian UAV penetrated the Beit She'an Valley - we intercepted them immediately,” added Netanyahu.
    "In countless other cases we have acted against the terrorist organizations firmly and decisively but with discretion and not recklessly, because reckless actions can cost a life.”
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