ExplainSpeaking | The economic mess at the heart of France’s protests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced France on Tuesday, labeling it a battlefield against "extremist Islam" following violent protests over economic issues that escalated into riots. These remarks mirrored the rhetoric of far-right figures in the West who have falsely claimed certain European nations, including Britain, have been taken over by Islamic law due to immigration, accusations branded as Islamophobic by critics.

In an interview, the right-wing leader criticized French authorities for their lack of preparedness, asserting that the unrest was driven by extremist Muslims despite the largely diverse composition of French society that participated in protests across cities like Paris. Netanyahu urged France to resist the "invasion of extremist Islam" by fighting back against the extremists, without offering further details.

He also recounted a previous warning to French President Emmanuel Macron about the spread of extremism, stating that if Israel did not act, similar violence could occur in Paris. The comments come in the wake of France recognizing Palestinian statehood last year, a move that sparked Israeli outrage. Similarly, US President Donald Trump used the protests to attack immigration, urging France and Macron to tighten borders.

Trump, who has framed combating illegal immigration as a key issue in his 2024 campaign, has often relied on unverified claims that play on racial fears. In a similar vein, Netanyahu had previously referred to Britain as an "Islamic republic," a remark that drew widespread condemnation from London, which called it "completely unacceptable."