France has defended its record on combating antisemitism after Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu accused Emmanuel Macron of emboldening hate attacks against Jews by pledging to recognise a Palestinian state.

A row between Israel and France over Paris’ plan to recognise a Palestinian state next month escalated to crisis level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fomenting “antisemitism”.

After the Israeli prime minister condemned Macron's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, claiming it 'encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking [France's] streets,' the Elysée Palace responded by insisting that it 'protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens.