Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar told his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, that there is no point for French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Israel due to France persisting "in its initiative and efforts that harm Israel's interests," the foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday.
Sa'ar was referring to France's plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly later this month.
He claimed that this undermines regional stability and harms Israel's national and security interests.
Sa'ar also claimed that Abbas only enjoys minimal support among the Palestinian population, alleging that this is why he has not held elections for nearly 20 years, and is thus not a credible interlocutor.
Sa'ar emphasized that Israel seeks to maintain good relations with France, but that the European country must respect Israel's position when it comes to matters "essential to its security and future."
France has taken a series of anti-Israel measures and positions recently, according to the foreign ministry's statement.
Other topics of discussion included Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, E3's Iran 'snapback' sanctions
During the conversation, Sa'ar and Barrot also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Ukraine, and the E3 (UK, France, and Germany)'s plans to activate the "snapback" sanctions on Iran.