Israeli Minister Slams Macron's 'Irresponsible' Stance on Hamas

Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, launched a scathing attack on French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening, calling his recent statements at the UN "ridiculous" and "irresponsible." Chikli specifically took issue with Macron's assertion that Hamas "has never operated in the West Bank," labeling it an "abject lie." The minister stated that Hamas has orchestrated dozens of attacks from Judea and Samaria since the late 1980s, resulting in over 350 Israeli civilian deaths.

A French diplomatic source later suggested to i24NEWS that Macron's remarks were misunderstood, clarifying that the president meant Hamas had never governed the West Bank. Chikli, however, expressed difficulty in taking Macron seriously, describing him as acting like a "lost adolescent." He also referenced the recent killing of Netanel Shukrun, a French-Israeli father of six, in an attack attributed to Hamas, noting he had visited Shukrun's widow.

Chikli accused Macron of displaying "extremely unfortunate" and "disloyal" behavior towards Israel since the start of the war, emphasizing France's role as a partner in the fight against international terrorism. He differentiated France's stance from that of other European nations like Greece, Cyprus, and the Czech Republic, suggesting he anticipates "profound changes" in both France and the UK.

Furthermore, Chikli defended dialogue with certain European right-wing parties, including Austria's FPÖ and France's National Rally, expressing admiration for Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella's "frankness" and "clear line" regarding Israel. He believes Israel should engage with movements that have shown a shift on antisemitism and support for Israel, citing a shared worldview based on "the nation-state, tradition, national identity, and family values."