Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a blistering condemnation of French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, accusing him of siding with Hamas following his sharp criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. reported the extraordinary diplomatic clash that has further strained relations between the two nations.
"Macron has once again chosen to stand with a murderous Islamist terrorist organization and echo its despicable propaganda, accusing Israel of blood libels. Israel is engaged in a multi-front war for its very existence following the horrific massacre committed by Hamas against innocent people on October 7, including the murder and kidnapping of dozens of French nationals. Instead of supporting the Western democratic camp fighting the Islamist terrorist organizations and calling for the release of the hostages, Macron is once again demanding that Israel surrender and reward terrorism," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. .
The harsh rebuke from Jerusalem followed Macron's interview with TF1 television, where the French leader delivered some of his strongest criticisms yet of Israel's military operations. "What the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is doing is unacceptable… There is no water, no medicine, the wounded cannot get out, the doctors cannot get in. What he is doing is shameful," Macron told TF1.
In his televised remarks highlighted, Macron suggested that leverage from Washington would be necessary to influence Israeli policy. "We need the United States. President (Donald) Trump has the levers. I have had tough words with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I got angry, but they (Israel) don't depend on us, they depend on American weapons," he said.
The French president referenced his personal observations at the Egypt-Gaza border, reported, where he witnessed that "all the aid that France and other countries deliver" is "blocked by the Israelis." This firsthand account has been refuted by Israel. "This is an unacceptable humanitarian tragedy," Macron declared in comments published by. He noted that "it is not up to a president of the republic to say 'this is a genocide' but rather to historians."
Netanyahu's statement noted that "Israel will not stop and will not surrender. Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to accomplish all of Israel's war goals, including the release of all our hostages, destroy Hamas's military and governance capabilities and ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel."
Macron indicated potential consequences for bilateral relations, as reported he mentioned exploring revisions to European Union cooperation agreements with Israel. The French president emphasized his commitment to action, stating: "My job is to do everything I can to make it stop... the humanitarian crisis (in Gaza) is the most serious we have known" since October 7, 2023.
