World News
Israel condemns Macron over UN address regarding Hamas in the West Bank
Benjamin Netanyahu's office called comments about Hamas violence absurd, while a French diplomat suggested a translation error.
The short version
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office strongly condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's UN General Assembly address, labeling his West Bank remarks a grotesque absurdity.[France 24]
- Macron reportedly said Hamas had never struck in the West Bank, prompting Israeli officials to cite regular attacks, including the recent killing of a French-Israeli settler.[France 24 · BBC News]
- A French diplomatic source indicated the French remarks meant Hamas has never governed the territory, suggesting the controversy stems from misinterpretation.[BBC News]
Key facts
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office condemned Emmanuel Macron's UN speech, calling his statement that Hamas had never struck in the West Bank a grotesque absurdity.[France 24 · BBC News]
- Netanyahu's office pointed to the recent shooting of French-Israeli citizen Netanel Shukrun near a West Bank settlement as evidence of Hamas violence.[France 24 · BBC News]
- A French diplomatic source stated that Macron's phrase 'Le Hamas n'a jamais sévi en Cisjordanie' was misinterpreted and meant 'Hamas has never governed the West Bank.'[BBC News]
- US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized Macron's remarks, describing them as out of touch with reality.[France 24 · BBC News]
- About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in approximately 160 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem alongside 3.3 million Palestinians, with the settlements considered illegal under international law.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.