Israel Slams French President Macron Over Hamas Claims at UN

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, launched a sharp attack against French President Emmanuel Macron after Macron stated during a UN General Assembly address that Hamas has "never operated" in the West Bank. Danon cited a deadly shooting incident just two days prior, in which an Israeli citizen with French nationality was murdered, as evidence contradicting Macron's assertion.

Macron's remarks, made during his speech in New York, addressed the situation in the West Bank and the challenges to advancing a political solution. However, his claim that Hamas had never been active in the region drew immediate criticism from Israeli officials. Israel maintains that Hamas has a presence and infrastructure in the West Bank, and has been linked to terrorist activities and attacks in the area, even though it does not control the territory as it does Gaza.

Danon called Macron's statement "unfathomable absurdity," highlighting the recent murder of Natanel Shokron, a father of six with both Israeli and French citizenship, near the settlement of Neve Tzuf on September 20. Hamas praised the attack, though it did not officially claim responsibility. Danon urged the French president to review the facts regarding Hamas's activities in the West Bank.

To further illustrate the discrepancy, Danon released a video compilation featuring clips of Macron's speech alongside images from attack sites, media reports, and news coverage linking Hamas to terrorist operations in the West Bank. The Prime Minister's Office, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, also criticized Macron, issuing a statement in English that referenced Shokron's murder and accused the French president of ignoring Hamas's activities in the region.

Macron's broader speech also touched on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, criticizing the situation in Gaza and Israeli policies in the West Bank, arguing that current developments hinder the possibility of a two-state solution. He also suggested that undermining regional sovereignty does not enhance Israel's long-term security. However, the comment about Hamas quickly became one of the most controversial aspects of his address, with Israel pointing to numerous past instances of Hamas infrastructure and operatives being exposed in the West Bank to refute his claim.