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's plan to recognize a Palestinian state next month escalated to crisis level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fomenting "antisemitism".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upbraided President Emmanuel Macron in a letter, blaming the French leader's move to recognise a Palestinian state for fuelling antisemitism.