Israel clashes with Macron over West Bank remarks at UN

15:00

A new diplomatic dispute has erupted between Israel and France after President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation in the West Bank and Gaza during the United Nations General Assembly, prompting a sharp response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Netanyahu’s office described Macron’s remarks on Hamas and the West Bank as “grotesque,” arguing that the French president had overlooked attacks attributed by Israeli authorities to Hamas in the territory. Macron’s comments have therefore become another point of friction between Paris and the Israeli government.

Netanyahu office challenges Macron’s assessment

In his UN address, Macron criticized the humanitarian situation in Gaza and raised concerns over Israel’s actions in the West Bank. He also defended the two-state solution as a framework that, in France’s view, remains central to Israel’s long-term security and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

The Israeli prime minister’s office rejected Macron’s characterization of Hamas activity in the West Bank. It referred to the recent killing of an Israeli settler, Netanel Shukrun, who Israeli authorities said was a French citizen and the father of six. The shooting occurred on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Israeli authorities said the suspected Palestinian shooter was arrested at a hospital. The incident was subsequently followed by an Israeli military operation in the suspect’s village.

Washington ambassador also criticizes Macron

The dispute extended beyond the Israeli government. Mike Huckabee, the United States ambassador to Israel, also criticized Macron’s UN intervention, describing it as disconnected from developments on the ground.

The exchange highlights the increasingly contentious diplomatic debate surrounding the West Bank, where competing narratives over security, settlements, Palestinian rights and the future of the territory continue to dominate international discussions.

West Bank violence remains a major international concern

The Israeli government’s focus on attacks against Israelis comes as the West Bank continues to experience violence involving both Palestinian armed groups and Israeli settlers.

United Nations humanitarian monitoring shows that settler-related violence against Palestinians and their property has remained at historically high levels in 2026. By September 14, more than 1,600 such incidents had been documented since the beginning of the year, affecting 275 Palestinian communities. The UN recorded an average of 6.7 incidents per day.

The figures illustrate the broader security and humanitarian pressures surrounding the territory, where Israeli settlements, military operations, Palestinian attacks and restrictions on movement remain deeply contested issues.

Macron renews focus on the two-state framework

During his UN intervention, Macron linked the situation in Gaza and the West Bank to the wider question of Israel’s future security and Palestinian statehood. He argued that continued international inaction over Gaza would undermine the credibility of the international community.

His position reflects France’s continued emphasis on a negotiated two-state settlement. The issue has already contributed to tensions between Macron and Netanyahu, particularly following France’s decision in 2025 to recognize a Palestinian state. Macron’s initiative was presented by Paris as part of a broader diplomatic effort to revive the two-state framework.

The latest dispute demonstrates how sharply divided international positions remain over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Israel continues to place security and attacks against its citizens at the center of its argument, France and other governments continue to emphasize Palestinian statehood, humanitarian concerns and the political future of the West Bank and Gaza.

With Netanyahu preparing to address the UN General Assembly, the confrontation over Macron’s remarks is likely to remain part of the wider diplomatic debate surrounding Israel, Palestine and the future of the region.