Lapid Urges Netanyahu to Confront Macron on Hamas Claims

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's statement at the UN that Hamas has never operated in the West Bank, calling it a "false, harmful, and destructive" assertion. Lapid argued that while journalists should challenge Macron with facts, Israel's Prime Minister must take a different approach to address the diplomatic crisis.

Lapid proposed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should directly call Macron and express his shame, citing the recent murder of Natanel Shicron, a father of six, by a Hamas operative just four days prior. He suggested Netanyahu should also provide intelligence, agreed upon by the US and French intelligence services, proving Hamas's long-standing operations and responsibility for hundreds of terror attacks in the West Bank.

"The Prime Minister's job is not to tweet, but to change reality," Lapid stated, emphasizing that the current approach has failed and the diplomatic crisis endangers Israel's security. He believes a direct confrontation with Macron would be more effective internationally than social media posts aimed at a domestic audience.

Lapid, who claims to know Macron better than any other Israeli, expressed confidence that such a direct approach would lead Macron to admit his factual error. This, Lapid concluded, would benefit Israel more than tweets, encourage other leaders to be more cautious, and secure an international victory.