In a conversation held a few days before the elections, Macron warned Netanyahu that Chikli’s actions, which were openly and blatantly aimed at assisting Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party, constituted “unacceptable” interference in France’s internal affairs.

An Israeli official who is involved in contacts between the two countries described Chikli’s behavior as “a diplomatic bomb” and a number of other diplomats who spoke with Haaretz said Chikli hurt relations with France.