Macron's UN Claim on Hamas Activity in West Bank Sparks Outrage in Israel

French President Emmanuel Macron's assertion at the 81st UN General Assembly that "Hamas has never operated in the West Bank" has drawn sharp condemnation from Israeli officials. Macron stated during his address on Tuesday that "day after day we witness violations" in the West Bank, but claimed Hamas was not behind them, emphasizing the Palestinian people's right to exist as a prerequisite for Israeli security.

This statement directly contradicts recent events, including the killing of French-Israeli citizen Natanel Shicron by a Hamas operative just days prior, while he was bathing with his sons near the settlement of Neve Tzuf in the Benjamin region. Earlier in the month, Israeli forces apprehended a Hamas cell of ten operatives planning an attack in the northern Jordan Valley.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a scathing response, calling Macron's remarks "unfathomable absurdity" and highlighting the recent murder of Shicron, a father of six, by a Hamas terrorist in the West Bank. The statement further accused Macron of ignorance, stating, "Ignorance is no excuse for erasing their blood."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this sentiment on social media, labeling Macron a liar and detailing the recent Hamas attack. He asserted that Hamas fuels Arab terror in the West Bank and is a significant part of its operations. Public diplomacy activist Yosef Haddad also criticized Macron's statement, citing numerous past attacks by Hamas operatives originating from the West Bank, including the 2002 Park Hotel bombing that killed 30 people.

Macron also addressed the Gaza conflict, questioning the credibility of nations that recognized Palestine on paper but remained inactive regarding Gaza's humanitarian crisis. He also commented on Lebanon, stating that only a fully sovereign Lebanon could disarm Hezbollah and restore security to its citizens and neighbors.

Other world leaders also spoke on the Palestinian issue. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva accused the Israeli government of genocide against Palestinians, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated his call for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, calling Gaza "the biggest cemetery for children in the world." The Israeli delegation walked out during Erdoğan's speech in protest.