In a dramatic about-face, Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune indicated a willingness to open diplomatic relations with Israel in an exclusive interview with French newspaper L’Opinion published on Sunday.
“We are ready to normalize our relations with Israel,” he stated. Although Tebboune’s remark represents a significant shift in Algeria’s traditionally hardline position on Israel, he stopped short of announcing any immediate steps.
The development comes as several Arab nations have signed normalization agreements with Israel in recent years under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Beyond the Israel issue, Tebboune also touched on ongoing tensions between Algeria and France, criticizing French politicians for using Algeria as a political tool. “Figures like Bruno Retailleau use Algeria to score political points in France,” he said. “Our country should not be a pawn in electoral games.”
On immigration, the Algerian president denounced what he described as the political weaponization of the issue in France. “There are very few illegal entries. Most Algerians in France are students, doctors, lawyers, and engineers who contribute positively to society,” he said. “Those who claim otherwise are fueling xenophobia.”
Tebboune took direct aim at French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, questioning her policies on immigration. “What would she do if she came to power? Are we looking at another Vel’ d’Hiv roundup? Will she detain Algerians before deporting them?” he asked.
The Algerian president reiterated that his country will not accept an imbalanced relationship with France. “We want an equal partnership based on mutual respect and non-interference.”
“If some want to revive colonial-era tensions, they should understand that Algeria today is not the Algeria of 1962. We are a sovereign nation, proud of our independence, and we will not tolerate interference from anyone,” he added.
Despite making up a quarter of the labor force in the fast-aging continent, immigrants are under attack from far-right politicians. After gains in the 2024 elections in numerous EU member states, the far-right controlled seven out of the EU’s 27 nations, threatening more aggressive anti-immigration policies to the detriment of economic growth.