Israel has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of launching a “crusade against the Jewish state” following his call for European countries to toughen their stance on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Macron recently urged European nations to “harden the collective position” against Israel if it fails to adequately address the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, even suggesting the possibility of sanctions. Speaking at a defense forum in Singapore, he emphasized that abandoning Gaza or giving Israel a “free pass” would damage Europe’s credibility. He also described the recognition of a Palestinian state, under certain conditions, as “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity.”
In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement rejecting claims of a humanitarian blockade, calling them “a blatant lie.” The ministry defended Israel’s efforts to facilitate aid deliveries to Gaza and accused Macron of siding with Hamas. It said, “Instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt its national day will be October 7,” referencing the date of Hamas’s deadly 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the current conflict.
Israel recently eased a blockade that had restricted supplies into Gaza for over two months, but the region continues to face severe shortages of food and medical supplies. Aid has only begun to trickle in gradually.
France is co-hosting an international conference with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations aimed at reviving the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a proposal strongly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also noted that Hamas has praised Macron’s statements, implying that the militant group sees his position as supportive of their cause. The escalating rhetoric highlights the deepening diplomatic tensions between Israel and France amid the ongoing Gaza crisis.
