Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron following remarks made at the United Nations General Assembly concerning Hamas and Israeli actions in the West Bank. Macron claimed during his U.N. address that Hamas had “never operated in the West Bank,” a statement that Netanyahu’s office quickly labeled as inaccurate, highlighting recent attacks in the area attributed to the group.
The disagreement stems from a recent incident where an Israeli-French citizen was killed in the West Bank, with Israeli authorities asserting that the assailant had ties to Hamas. This incident was cited by Israeli officials to challenge Macron’s remarks.
A French diplomatic official later clarified that Macron’s intention was to indicate that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, rather than asserting the group has no operational presence there. This clarification comes as the Palestinian Authority exercises limited governance in certain parts of the territory, with Israel maintaining significant control over much of the region.
Macron’s speech also addressed broader issues, such as the humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing developments in the West Bank. He argued that persistent violence and Israeli settlement activities were jeopardizing the chances of achieving a two-state solution. These comments highlight ongoing tensions between Israel and various European nations concerning the Gaza conflict, settlement policies, and international moves towards Palestinian statehood.