Netanyahu’s office rebukes Macron over remarks on Hamas in the West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks at the UN about Hamas activity in the West Bank, calling them “grotesquely absurd.” The office countered with allegations about Hamas attacks, while Netanyahu himself described Macron’s speech as “grotesque” and “shocking.”
Key points
- The central dispute was over Macron’s remarks about Hamas activity in the West Bank and the Israeli government’s response.
Evidence · 1 source statement
- Netanyahu’s office rejected Macron’s remarks and cited alleged Hamas attacks against Jews and Israeli civilians in the West Bank.
Evidence · 3 source statements
- The UN was cited as reporting about six settler-related violent incidents against Palestinians or their property each day in the West Bank through mid-2026.
Evidence · 1 source statement
The United Nations said there were about six settler-related violent incidents against Palestinians or their property daily through mid-2026 in the territory.
Who's involved
Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
It issued the official Israeli response to Macron’s remarks.
It called Macron’s remarks grotesquely absurd and said Hamas carried out near-daily attacks against Jews and had killed many Israeli civilians in the West Bank.
What they said · 3 source statements
Benjamin Netanyahu
As Israel’s prime minister, he also criticized Macron’s speech.
He described Macron’s speech as grotesque and shocking.
What they said · 2 source statements
What was reported
- Netanyahu’s office called Macron’s remarks “grotesquely absurd.”
One source: Le Monde
Evidence · 1 source statement
- Netanyahu’s office said Hamas militants carried out attacks against Jews almost every day and had killed numerous Israeli civilians in the West Bank.
One source: Le Monde
Evidence · 2 source statements
- Netanyahu described Macron’s speech as “grotesque” and “shocking.”
One source: Der Spiegel
Evidence · 2 source statements
- The UN reported about six settler-related violent incidents against Palestinians or their property per day in the West Bank through mid-2026.
One source: The Hindu
Evidence · 1 source statement
The United Nations said there were about six settler-related violent incidents against Palestinians or their property daily through mid-2026 in the territory.
Still unclear
- The exact wording and full context of Macron’s remarks are not included in the claims.
- No response from Macron to Netanyahu’s criticism is included.
Not heard from
- Emmanuel Macron — His remarks prompted the Israeli response, but his own statement is not included in the claims.
- Hamas — The Israeli office made allegations about Hamas, but no response from the group appears.
- Palestinians in the West Bank — They are affected by the violence referenced in the coverage, but no statement from Palestinian residents or representatives appears.