The diplomatic rift between Israel and France has deepened following remarks made by French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations General Assembly, which have been criticized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The fallout could further strain relations amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Macron’s statement that Hamas had “never operated in the West Bank” sparked objections from Netanyahu’s office, which labeled the comment as inaccurate. The Israeli government pointed to recent attacks in the West Bank, reportedly linked to Hamas, as evidence contradicting Macron’s assertion. This dispute comes on the heels of the killing of an Israeli-French citizen in the West Bank, which Israeli authorities have attributed to a Hamas-affiliated attacker.
In response to the controversy, a French diplomatic official clarified that Macron’s intention was to highlight that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, an area where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule while Israel maintains significant control. Macron’s remarks also emphasized the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing settlement activities, which he argued are jeopardizing the prospects for a two-state solution.
These developments add to the ongoing friction between Israel and several European nations over contentious issues such as the Gaza conflict, Israeli settlement expansion, and international initiatives aimed at achieving Palestinian statehood. The disagreement underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and differing international perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.