Netanyahu Slams Macron's Remarks on Hamas Activity in West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's statement at the UN General Assembly that "Hamas has never operated in Judea and Samaria." Netanyahu's office called Macron's assertion "grotesquely absurd," highlighting the recent murder of French-Israeli citizen Netanel Shachroun, a father of six, by a Hamas terrorist in Judea and Samaria just two days prior, on the eve of Yom Kippur. "Hamas terrorists attack Jews almost daily. They have murdered countless Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria. Ignorance is no excuse for erasing their blood," the statement read.

Former Israeli military commander and "Yashar" party leader Gadi Eisenkot echoed Netanyahu's condemnation, describing Macron's comment as "extremely detached from the real situation." Eisenkot, who previously commanded a division in Judea and Samaria, stated his familiarity with Hamas operations and the threat the group poses to Israelis in the region.

A French diplomat clarified to The Times of Israel that Macron's intent was that Hamas "does not govern" in Judea and Samaria, urging against misinterpreting his remarks. While Hamas does not control the West Bank as it does Gaza, the organization has a long history of conducting attacks against Israelis in the territory, where the Palestinian Authority has limited authority and Israel controls most of the area.

Macron's speech also addressed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and criticized Israeli actions in Judea and Samaria, advocating for Palestinian statehood and respect for Palestinian rights. Relations between Netanyahu and Macron have been strained, with France previously supporting Palestinian state recognition and imposing restrictions on products from Israeli settlements.