Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations General Assembly, where Macron addressed the role of Hamas in the West Bank. Macron stated that Hamas had “never operated in the West Bank,” which drew a swift response from Netanyahu’s office labeling the statement as inaccurate.
The dispute intensified following the killing of an Israeli-French citizen in the West Bank, an attack that Israeli authorities attributed to Hamas. Israeli officials used this incident to challenge Macron’s remarks, emphasizing that Hamas has indeed been active in the region. A French diplomatic official later clarified that Macron’s intention was to convey that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, rather than implying the group has no presence there.
Macron’s speech also touched on broader issues regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing developments in the West Bank. He criticized Israeli actions, particularly settlement activities, for undermining the prospects of achieving a two-state solution, a sentiment that has been a point of contention between Israel and several European countries.
The comments come amid a backdrop of persistent disagreements between Israel and European governments over the Gaza conflict, Israeli settlement policies, and international efforts towards Palestinian statehood. These diplomatic tensions highlight the complexities in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the global stage.