Netanyahu decries Macron’s ‘grotesque’ claim that Hamas ‘never operated’ in West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, calling his claim that Hamas never operated in the West Bank grotesque. Macron delivered the remark during his final United Nations address, where he also denounced Trump's Gaza diplomacy and criticized Russia. Following immediate backlash from Israeli officials and figures such as Huckabee, a French source clarified to media outlets that the French leader's remarks were mistranslated rather than a deliberate denial of militant operations in the territory.
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- ✓ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Emmanuel Macron's claim that Hamas never operated in the West Bank grotesque.
- ✓ French sources stated that Macron's comments regarding Hamas operations in the West Bank were mistranslated.
- ✓ Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel, Russia, and Donald Trump's Gaza diplomacy during his final U.N. speech as France's president.
What changed
French officials clarified that the contested presidential statement regarding Hamas was the result of a mistranslation.
Live updates
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Netanyahu Denounces Macron's West Bank Hamas Remarks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, calling his claim that Hamas never operated in the West Bank grotesque. Macron delivered the remark during his final United Nations address, where he also denounced Trump's Gaza diplomacy and criticized Russia. Following immediate backlash from Israeli officials and figures such as Huckabee, a French source clarified to media outlets that the French leader's remarks were mistranslated rather than a deliberate denial of militant operations in the territory.
Why it matters
The diplomatic friction arises from high-stakes international debates over Middle East security and diplomatic strategies surrounding the Gaza conflict. France has frequently engaged in regional diplomacy, making presidential statements at the United Nations closely scrutinized by Israeli leadership. Translation disputes in international forums often exacerbate political tensions between allied nations.
What is confirmed
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Emmanuel Macron's claim that Hamas never operated in the West Bank grotesque.
- French sources stated that Macron's comments regarding Hamas operations in the West Bank were mistranslated.
- Emmanuel Macron criticized Israel, Russia, and Donald Trump's Gaza diplomacy during his final U.N. speech as France's president.
What to watch next
- Further official clarifications or direct statements from the French presidency regarding the translation.
- Additional diplomatic responses from Israeli leadership concerning the French clarification.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (9)
- 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 Times of Israel — Netanyahu decries Macron’s ‘grotesque’ claim that Hamas ‘never operated’ in West Bank
- 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'
- Yahoo — Macron Criticises Trump's Gaza Diplomacy In Final UN Address
- i24NEWS — French source to i24NEWS: Macron's Hamas remark was mistranslated, not claim it never operated in West Bank
- Fox News — Lost in translation: Israel, Huckabee blast Macron over Hamas comments as France clarifies wording
- Le Monde.fr — Macron's error on Hamas during UN speech sparks Israeli anger
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