Jerusalem/Paris: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron had a heated debate on phone on Tuesday. According to Bloomberg’s report, the dispute was centered on Macron’s statement of giving Palestine the status of an independent country. Netanyahu called it a step to promote terrorism in the Middle East and said, “It will become a stronghold of Iran, which is injustice to the Jews. France is provoking allies, which is wrong.”

Macron advocated peace in response. He said, “My goal is lasting peace in the Middle East. Our plan to recognize Palestine in June is with the support of many countries. This will not harm Israel.” This stance of France is historic, because the G-7 countries have remained neutral on this issue so far. Macron believes that recognition of Palestine will reduce tension in the region and open the way for demarcation and formation of a new government.

This is not the first high-level debate. A few months ago, similar tensions were seen between Donald Trump in the US and Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine over Russia. Analysts believe that Macron’s move could bring a new turn in global diplomacy, but Netanyahu’s objection could further deepen the tension.