Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron following comments made by Macron at the United Nations General Assembly regarding Hamas and the West Bank. Macron had stated that Hamas “never operated in the West Bank,” a remark that drew immediate backlash from Netanyahu, who labeled the statement as inaccurate.
Netanyahu’s office was quick to respond, pointing out incidents in the West Bank linked to Hamas, including the recent killing of an Israeli-French citizen, which Israeli officials attributed to a Hamas-affiliated attacker. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between Israel and European nations over issues related to Israeli settlement policies and the Gaza conflict.
Following the backlash, a French diplomatic official clarified that President Macron intended to convey that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, rather than suggesting the group has no operations there. Currently, the Palestinian Authority manages limited self-governing functions in parts of the West Bank, although Israel retains substantial control over the region.
Macron’s address at the UN also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and developments in the West Bank, criticizing ongoing Israeli settlement activities and violence. He warned that these actions jeopardize the chances of achieving a two-state solution, a stance that has frequently been a point of contention between Israel and several European countries.
This diplomatic dispute comes amid broader disagreements over the Gaza war and international efforts toward Palestinian statehood, signaling persistent challenges in the region’s complex political landscape.