Israeli Minister Slams French Counterpart Over Gaza Stance

Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, launched a scathing attack on French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Sunday, following Barrot's remarks on France's support for the Palestinian cause. Responding to students' questions about the Gaza situation, Barrot stated that France had done more for the Palestinian cause since October 7 than any other country. Chikli shared this statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding that it "says it all." The Israeli minister referenced the Hamas attacks of October 7, including massacres, kidnappings, and sexual violence, accusing French diplomacy of intensifying its efforts for a cause championed by the perpetrators of these crimes and their supporters. Chikli declared that Barrot's face would perfectly represent the "moral bankruptcy of Western elites," criticizing "smugness without courage, posturing without conscience," and "indignity elevated to diplomacy." He further targeted the political futures of both Barrot and French President Emmanuel Macron, predicting Barrot would soon be a "former minister" and that Macron would "soon join him in the dustbin of history."

This exchange highlights the significant deterioration in relations between Paris and Jerusalem, characterized by escalating disagreements over the war in Gaza and France's policies concerning the Palestinians.