Netanyahu calls Macron's remarks on West Bank in UN speech 'grotesque'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the West Bank as "grotesque". Macron delivered these remarks during his final speech as France's president at the United Nations, where he also condemned Israel's assault on Gaza as a "spectacle that shames us all" and criticized Russia. While Israeli officials expressed anger over an alleged error Macron made regarding Hamas, a French source claims the president's comments on Hamas operations in the West Bank were misinterpreted.
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- ✓ Benjamin Netanyahu called Emmanuel Macron's West Bank comments in a UN speech "grotesque".
- ✓ Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel and Russia in his final UN speech as France's president.
- ✓ Macron described Israel's assault on Gaza as a "spectacle that shames us all".
What changed
Netanyahu reacted to Macron's final UN speech by calling the president's West Bank comments grotesque.
Live updates
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Netanyahu labels Macron's UN West Bank remarks 'grotesque'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the West Bank as "grotesque". Macron delivered these remarks during his final speech as France's president at the United Nations, where he also condemned Israel's assault on Gaza as a "spectacle that shames us all" and criticized Russia. While Israeli officials expressed anger over an alleged error Macron made regarding Hamas, a French source claims the president's comments on Hamas operations in the West Bank were misinterpreted.
Why it matters
The friction occurs as Macron concludes his tenure as French president. His criticisms target both the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and the diplomatic approach of Donald Trump.
What is confirmed
- Benjamin Netanyahu called Emmanuel Macron's West Bank comments in a UN speech "grotesque".
- Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel and Russia in his final UN speech as France's president.
- Macron described Israel's assault on Gaza as a "spectacle that shames us all".
Still unconfirmed
- Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the removal of unauthorized settler outposts in the West Bank.
- Macron's comments on Hamas operations in the West Bank were misinterpreted.
- Macron denounced Donald Trump's Gaza diplomacy as a spectacle of shame.
What to watch next
- Official French government clarification on the Hamas remarks
- Further diplomatic responses from the Israeli government regarding Macron's UN speech
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- Reuters — In UN farewell, Macron denounces Trump's Gaza diplomacy as spectacle of shame
- The New York Times — Macron Criticizes Israel and Russia in Final U.N. Speech as France’s President
- The Jerusalem Post — French source: Macron's comments on Hamas's West bank operations misinterpreted
- BBC — Netanyahu calls Macron's West Bank comments in UN speech 'grotesque'
- Le Monde.fr — Macron's error on Hamas during UN speech sparks Israeli anger
- Democracy Now! — “A Spectacle That Shames Us All”: Emmanuel Macron Condemns Israel’s Assault on Gaza
- tucson.com — Sources: Netanyahu orders removal of West Bank settler outposts
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