FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron (picture) accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “shameful” behavior in blocking aid to Gaza, and called on the European Union to toughen its stance against the country.
The decision — which Israel says is aimed at gaining a decisive breakthrough in the war with Hamas — is “unacceptable,” Macron told broadcaster TF1 on Wednesday.
More than 2 million people live in the Palestinian territory, which has been devastated by more than 19 months of conflict.
Netanyahu hit back, saying Macron had opted to stand with Hamas and “echo its despicable propaganda.” Macron is “demanding that Israel surrender and reward terrorism,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office. “Israel is engaged in a multi-front war for its very existence.”
The exchange demonstrates the growing tension between Israel and some of its closest allies over the war with Hamas, which has destroyed much of Gaza and killed more than 52,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health authority.
Netanyahu’s government blocked assistance to the Palestinian territory in March, around the time a ceasefire collapsed, and the United Nations says its population is facing a humanitarian crisis.
Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also commented on Gaza on Wednesday, saying the situation is “intolerable and getting worse.”
“We are working with other leaders urgently to bring about rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said, adding that the release of Hamas-held hostages is also a priority.
Israel has embraced a US plan for a phased resumption of food distribution to Gaza’s civilians that would stop Hamas seizing supplies. It is unclear, though, when the program will start or who will be in charge of implementation.
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Referring to EU-Israeli relations, Macron said it’s an open question for Europeans to consider “whether we should continue the discussions, the cooperation agreements with Israel as they stand.”
The French president cited recent comments from the Dutch government, which called for a collective reassessment of the EU’s trade ties with Israel. The Netherlands has long been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe.
Yet Macron suggested only the US could make a real difference on the ground by applying conditions to military aid. President Donald Trump is a close ally of Netanyahu, though there have been signs that the relationship is straining.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu said he’s days away from ordering an all-out escalation of Israel’s campaign against Hamas if it doesn’t lay down arms.
Macron endorsed the Israeli government’s right to defend itself following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, which killed over 1,200 people and abducted 250.
But the longer the war has continued, the more tense relations between him and Netanyahu have become. Last month, they sparred over the French leader’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state and encourage other countries to do the same. –BLOOMBERG
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