France issues warning as Israel threatens to close Jerusalem consulate

France has threatened a "strong response" if Israel follows through on its threats to shutter the French consulate in Jerusalem.

Israeli media recently reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to close the consulate in response to French president Emmanuel Macron's plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry said it had not received information about the move but warned that it would hurt bilateral ties, according to The Times of Israel.

"We have not received any official notification from the Israeli authorities regarding this step, which could seriously harm our bilateral relations and provoke a strong response," the ministry said in a statement.

Macron last month became the first G7 leader to announce plans to recognise a Palestinian state and said he would make a formal declaration at the UN General Assembly in September.

His announcement triggered similar announcements by other close allies of Israel, including the UK, Canada and Australia.

Several other western countries are also considering making the move at the UN meeting, including New Zealand and Portugal.

The declarations have triggered a furious response by Israel, which has accused the countries of supporting "terrorism" and doubled down on its plans to radically expand illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called for "drastic measures" to be imposed on France at a cabinet meeting over the weekend, including the closure of its consulate and the seizure of land over which it claims ownership, according to Israel Hayom.

France has had a diplomatic presence in Jerusalem for hundreds of years and has administered ancient sites in the east of the city since the late nineteenth century, including several churches.  

The French consulate predates the founding of Israel and operates independently of France's relationship with the Israeli government. It does not deal with Israel but is in charge of managing French relations with the Palestinian Authority and managing its possessions in the city.

Israel is also lashing out at Australia after it refused entry to a far-right Israeli lawmaker.

It has revoked the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority and on Tuesday Netanyahu launched an unprecedented personal attack against Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, describing him as a "weak politician who betrayed Australian Jews".