Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron over comments made at the United Nations General Assembly regarding Hamas’s activities in the West Bank. Macron’s remarks, which stated that Hamas had “never operated in the West Bank,” were met with criticism from Netanyahu, who labeled the statement as inaccurate.
The tension arose following the killing of an Israeli-French citizen in the West Bank, an incident Israeli officials attributed to a Hamas-affiliated attacker. Netanyahu’s office used this event to counter Macron’s claims, asserting that Hamas has indeed been active in the territory.
In response to the controversy, a French diplomatic official clarified that Macron’s intention was to convey that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, rather than suggesting the group has never been active there. The West Bank is currently under the partial administrative control of the Palestinian Authority, while Israel retains significant control over the region.
Macron’s address also touched on broader issues, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing developments in the West Bank. He highlighted concerns that continued violence and Israeli settlement expansion are detrimental to the prospects of achieving a two-state solution.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions between Israel and several European governments over policies related to the Gaza conflict, Israeli settlements, and international approaches to Palestinian statehood. The remarks come amid broader international debates concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.