Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron following Macron’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly that touched upon Hamas’s activities in the West Bank. Macron stated that Hamas had “never operated in the West Bank,” sparking a rebuttal from Netanyahu’s office, which labeled the comment as inaccurate and highlighted incidents in the West Bank linked to Hamas.
The disagreement intensified after the killing of an Israeli-French citizen in the West Bank, which Israeli officials attributed to a Hamas-affiliated attacker. This incident was cited by Israel as evidence of Hamas’s presence in the area, countering Macron’s statement. In response to the controversy, a French diplomatic official clarified that Macron’s intention was to express that Hamas does not govern the West Bank, rather than denying any operational presence.
During his address, Macron also emphasized the humanitarian challenges in Gaza and the ongoing issues in the West Bank, contending that continued violence and Israeli settlement activities are jeopardizing the viability of a two-state solution. His remarks reflect ongoing tensions between Israel and several European governments over matters including the Gaza conflict and Israeli settlement policies.
The Palestinian Authority currently holds limited self-governance in parts of the West Bank, while Israel maintains significant control over much of the territory. The issue of Hamas’s influence and activities continues to be a point of contention, with both Israeli and international perspectives contributing to the complex discourse on peace and security in the region.