‘Grotesque absurdity’: Israel hits back at Macron over remarks on Hamas

Jerusalem, September 23 — Israel vehemently responded to French President Emmanuel Macron's criticism of Israeli actions in the West Bank, deeming his remarks as "grotesque absurdity," according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The office highlighted that Hamas terrorists frequently launch attacks against Jewish civilians, resulting in numerous fatalities in the West Bank, a territory controlled by Israel since 1967.

The statement specifically cited the shooting of an Israeli settler, Netanel Shukrun, on the eve of Yom Kippur, an event marked by the Palestinian gunman with French citizenship. Israel's military reported the arrest of the gunman at a hospital, followed by a raid on his village. A government minister called for the execution of the gunman under a recent law.

Macron's UN speech echoed concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Hamas orchestrated the deadliest attack on Israel in 2023. He also criticized ongoing Israeli actions in the West Bank, asserting that daily violations by settlers further jeopardize the prospects of achieving respect for the Palestinian people's right to exist.

The Palestinian Authority, a rival to Hamas, governs major urban areas within the West Bank, with Israel maintaining control over the majority of the territory. This situation exacerbates tensions, especially as extremist Israeli settlers continue to target and steal from Palestinian communities.