In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, Israel on Friday, May 30, vehemently accused French President Emmanuel Macron of launching a “crusade against the Jewish state.” This strong rebuke came in response to Macron's recent call for European nations to adopt a tougher stance on Israel concerning the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel's foreign ministry wasted no time in issuing a strongly worded statement, directly rejecting Macron's claims of a humanitarian blockade. "There is no humanitarian blockade. That is a blatant lie,” the ministry asserted, simultaneously defending Israel’s ongoing efforts to facilitate aid deliveries into the besieged territory. The statement went further, leveling an accusation that Macron was siding with Hamas, stating, “But instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt its national day will be October 7,” a pointed reference to Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the current conflict in Gaza.
The accusations arise even as Israel recently eased a blockade that had significantly restricted the flow of supplies into Gaza for over two months. Despite this partial lifting, the region continues to grapple with severe shortages of food and medical supplies, with aid only gradually reaching those in need.
Macron, who has increasingly vocalized his support for the Palestinian cause, stated on Friday that European countries must “harden the collective position” against Israel if it fails to adequately address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Speaking at a major defense forum in Singapore, the French President did not dismiss the possibility of sanctions. He emphasized, “If we abandon Gaza, if we consider there is a free pass for Israel, even if we do condemn the terrorist attacks, we will kill our credibility.” Macron further described the recognition of a Palestinian state — under certain conditions — as “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity.”
Notably, France is currently co-hosting an international conference with Saudi Arabia at the United Nations in New York, an initiative aimed at reviving the push for a two-state solution – a proposition firmly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. In its Friday statement, Israel’s foreign ministry concluded with a pointed observation: “Hamas, for its part, has already praised Macron’s statements. Hamas knows why.” This diplomatic spat underscores the growing international pressure on Israel regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the deeply divergent views on a path forward for the region.
