Israel Minister Slams French Counterpart, Paris Issues Scathing Rebuke
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli launched a sharp verbal attack on French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, and by extension, President Emmanuel Macron. Chikli's criticism stemmed from a statement attributed to Barrot, who reportedly said he "doesn't recognize any country that has done more for the Palestinian public since October 7th."
In response, Chikli posted a scathing critique on social media, detailing the atrocities of the October 7th Hamas attacks, including the murder of children, kidnapping of families, rape, and mutilation. He accused France, under Barrot's leadership, of prioritizing efforts for the "aspiration" of the attackers and their supporters. Chikli further characterized Barrot's stance as a reflection of the "moral bankruptcy of the elites in the West," describing it as "arrogance without courage, posturing without conscience, and baseness that has become diplomacy." He concluded by suggesting Barrot and Macron would soon be relegated to the "dustbin of history."
The French government responded forcefully, calling Chikli's remarks "completely unacceptable" and stating they have "no place in dialogue between states." Paris asserted that Chikli's comments, which they deemed a distortion and exploitation of French positions for political gain, disrespect the memory of the victims of the October 7th attacks, the deadliest antisemitic event in Jewish history since the Holocaust.
The French statement highlighted France's consistent condemnation of the Hamas atrocities, noting that over fifty French citizens were killed in the attacks. It also pointed to France's role, alongside Saudi Arabia, in a UN General Assembly resolution on September 12, 2025, which condemned the October 7th attacks and called for Hamas's disarmament. The statement further recalled France's national memorial ceremony for the October 7th victims on February 7, 2024, and Barrot's visit to Israel on October 7, 2024, to express solidarity.
France reiterated its commitment to the two-state solution as the path to lasting peace, security for Israel, and a dignified future for Palestinians, pledging to continue working towards this goal.
