Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron on May 14, 2025, accusing him of siding with “a murderous Islamist terrorist organisation” after Macron criticized Israel’s aid blockade on Gaza as “unacceptable” and “shameful.” The escalating diplomatic row, set against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, has intensified debates over humanitarian access and international involvement in the conflict. This article delves into the dispute, France’s historical role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, and the dire situation in Gaza.
The Netanyahu-Macron Clash
In a televised interview with TF1 on May 13, 2025, Macron condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza, in place since March 2, stating, “There is no water, no medicine, the wounded cannot get out, the doctors cannot get in. What he [Netanyahu] is doing is shameful.” He urged U.S. President Donald Trump to leverage American influence, noting Israel’s reliance on U.S. weapons Reuters. Netanyahu’s office responded swiftly, accusing Macron of “echoing despicable propaganda” and demanding that Israel “surrender and reward terrorism” The Times of Israel.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed Netanyahu, referencing France’s historical treatment of Jews during World War II and claiming Israel’s military operates with “the highest moral standards” compared to France’s past wars The Jerusalem Post. The exchange highlights the growing friction between Israel and European leaders as the war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,218 people, continues to devastate Gaza, with 52,928 deaths reported by the Hamas-run health ministry Al Jazeera.
Historical Fact: France’s Role in Middle Eastern Diplomacy
France’s influence in the Middle East dates back to the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, which shaped modern borders and conflicts. Co-authored with Britain, the secret agreement divided Ottoman territories, placing Lebanon and Syria under French control and sowing seeds of regional instability. France’s post-World War II diplomacy, including its support for Israel’s creation in 1948 and later mediation efforts in the Arab-Israeli conflict, reflects its complex balancing act between Western alliances and Arab partnerships. This history informs Macron’s vocal stance on Gaza, though critics argue it risks alienating Israel Britannica.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Pressure
The Gaza blockade, intensified since March 2025, has triggered warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe, with the United Nations and aid groups like Oxfam reporting looming famine and acute malnutrition The Guardian. Israel’s resumed operations on March 18 aim to pressure Hamas to release 57 hostages, 34 of whom are presumed dead, but have killed thousands and displaced 70% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents BBC. Netanyahu insists the campaign will “destroy Hamas’s military and governance capabilities” and ensure Gaza poses no future threat, but critics, including Macron, argue the blockade violates international humanitarian law Human Rights Watch.
Macron’s call for U.S. intervention reflects Europe’s limited leverage, as Israel relies heavily on American military support. However, X posts reveal polarized reactions: some users praise Macron’s moral stance X, while others accuse him of hypocrisy given France’s colonial history X. The dispute underscores the challenge of balancing diplomatic criticism with actionable solutions, as ceasefire talks remain stalled and Gaza’s crisis deepens.
Author: Planet-Today.com
Via AFP
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