French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday faced accusations of seeking to reduce the media to merely reproducing press releases after blaming journalists, ministers and commentators for the furore over comments attributed to him on Israel.

France's president on Thursday accused some of his ministers of lacking in professionalism and spreading false information, while taking a swipe at the media over how they reported comments he allegedly made on Israel during a cabinet meeting.

The remarks attributed to Macron during a cabinet meeting Tuesday that Israel needed to adhere to UN resolutions in its campaigns in Lebanon and Gaza as it was created by the world body have angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Senior right-wing politician slams 'ignorance of the history'; in interview with French outlet, Netanyahu accuses French president of 'distressing distortion of history' and 'disrespect'

The French President banned Israeli firms from showing their equipment at an arms show in his latest questionable move relating to the Middle East.

International affairs are one of the few remaining areas where Macron, who Thursday is attending an EU summit in Brussels, enjoys political leeway following this summer’s legislative elections which resulted in the centrist overseeing a distinctly right-wing government.

French President Macron's comments on Israel's existence spark unease in France, facing backlash from within and abroad.

The speaker of the French Senate -- the country's second most senior figure under the constitution -- said Thursday he was "astounded" by remarks attributed to Emmanuel Macron on Israel

Emmanuel Macron is a “disgrace to the French nation”, Israel’s defence minister said on Wednesday after Paris banned Israeli firms from exhibiting at a weapons show.