In a televised interview on TF1 on Tuesday, May 13, French President Emmanuel Macron sharply condemned the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Gaza, calling the situation a “disgrace.” The comment drew an immediate and scathing response from Netanyahu, who accused Macron of echoing the “vile propaganda” of Hamas.
Speaking the following day, on Wednesday, May 14, Netanyahu accused Macron of siding with “a murderous Islamist terrorist organization,” claiming that by criticizing Israel, the French president was “spreading its vile propaganda and accusing Israel of ritual crimes.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also responded, asserting that Macron was in no position to offer moral lessons. He referenced the historical persecution of Jews in France and defended the Israeli military’s conduct as being “morally unparalleled under extremely difficult and complex conditions”—a standard he claimed surpasses France’s own record in past conflicts.
During his TF1 appearance, Macron had labeled the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza as “unacceptable” and “a disgrace.”
Renewed Israeli offensive and humanitarian concerns
The Israeli military resumed its offensive in the Gaza Strip on March 18, following a two-month pause, with the stated aim of securing the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. Since March 2, however, Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid from entering the territory, deepening an already dire crisis for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
Netanyahu criticized Macron for, in his view, turning his back on the Western democratic alliance fighting terrorism and once again demanding that Israel concede, effectively “rewarding terrorism.”
Addressing Israeli reservists, Netanyahu announced that military operations would intensify, promising to use “all necessary force” to eliminate Hamas. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to identify countries willing to accept displaced Gazans, suggesting that a majority of Gaza’s population might be willing to leave.
On May 5, Israel approved a military plan to seize control of Gaza, with the stated goal of relocating “the majority” of the population. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli strikes have killed at least 52,928 people in Gaza—mostly civilians—figures the United Nations has deemed credible.