Netanyahu blasts French President Macron for “standing with terrorists” after Macron condemns Israel’s Gaza blockade as “shameful,” sparking a major diplomatic clash over the humanitarian crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Netanyahu accused President Macron of supporting a “murderous Islamist terrorist organization” after Macron criticized Israel’s Gaza blockade
- Macron called Israel’s actions “unacceptable” and “shameful” in a televised interview, citing severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza
- Israeli Defense Minister Katz referenced historical persecution of French Jews, suggesting France has no moral authority to criticize Israel
- The diplomatic row follows Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,218 people and took numerous hostages
- Netanyahu remains determined to continue military operations in Gaza despite international pressure over the humanitarian situation
Netanyahu’s Fierce Response to Macron’s Criticism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a scathing attack against French President Emmanuel Macron following the latter’s criticism of Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Netanyahu’s office issued a strongly worded statement accusing Macron of aligning with terrorists rather than supporting Israel’s fight against extremism. The diplomatic spat escalated quickly after Macron’s televised comments describing Israel’s actions as “shameful,” particularly regarding the restriction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where civilians face dire shortages of essential supplies.
“Macron has once again chosen to stand with a murderous Islamist terrorist organisation and echo its despicable propaganda, accusing Israel of blood libels,” declared Netanyahu’s office, emphasizing that “Instead of supporting the Western democratic camp fighting the Islamist terrorist organisations and calling for the release of the hostages, Macron is once again demanding that Israel surrender and reward terrorism. Israel will not stop and will not surrender,” according to Hindustan Times.
Macron’s Humanitarian Concerns
The French President’s comments that triggered this diplomatic row focused on the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. In his televised interview, Macron highlighted the lack of access to water, medicine, and medical evacuations for Gaza’s civilian population. He characterized the Netanyahu government’s actions as both “unacceptable” and “shameful,” arguing that the blockade was causing unnecessary suffering to innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
“What the government of Benjamin Netanyahu is doing is unacceptable… There is no water, no medicine, the wounded cannot get out, and doctors cannot enter. What he is doing is shameful,” stated Macron during his interview, further suggesting that American intervention might be necessary since Israel relies on U.S. weapons.
Israeli Defense Officials Join the Fray
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, added fuel to the diplomatic fire by invoking historical comparisons in his rebuke of Macron’s criticism. Katz referenced the historical persecution of Jews in France, suggesting that France lacks moral standing to criticize Israel’s self-defense measures. This reference to historical antisemitism in France significantly deepened the diplomatic rift between the two nations, with Katz asserting Israel’s moral superiority over France’s past military actions.
“We remember well what happened to the Jews in France when they couldn’t defend themselves. President Macron should not preach morality to us,” Israel Katz, demonstrating the Israeli government’s united front against international criticism.
Ongoing Military Operations in Gaza
Despite mounting international criticism, Israel resumed large-scale military operations in Gaza on March 18, with Netanyahu emphasizing his determination to achieve Israel’s war goals. These objectives include securing the release of hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack, destroying Hamas’s military capabilities, and ensuring Gaza does not pose a future threat to Israel. The Netanyahu administration has repeatedly stressed that it will not yield to international pressure to end the conflict before these objectives are met.
The conflict erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,218 deaths and numerous hostages being taken. Israel’s subsequent military response has caused significant casualties in Gaza, with figures from the Hamas-run health ministry suggesting over 30,000 deaths. United Nations officials and international aid organizations continue to warn of an escalating humanitarian crisis, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies severely impacting Gaza’s civilian population.
