Netanyahu decries France as haven for ‘extremist Islam’ after protests
The Israeli prime minister claims the protests are fuelled by extremist Muslims despite the diverse mix of French society who took to the streets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced France as a sanctuary for "extremist Islam" following violent protests over economic conditions that erupted into riots. The Israeli leader's remarks drew parallels to far-right rhetoric accusing European nations, including Britain, of succumbing to Islamic law due to immigration, allegations widely condemned as Islamophobic.
In an interview, Netanyahu criticized French leaders for failing to prepare for the unrest, claiming it was fueled by extremist Muslims despite the multicultural nature of French society. He advised France to "fight back" against the extremists without further elaboration and claimed that after Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack, if they did not eliminate the threat domestically, it would manifest in Paris.
This stance mirrors the views of US President Donald Trump, who also blamed immigration as the root cause of the French protests and urged Europe to tighten borders. France's recognition of Palestinian statehood last year had already sparked tensions with Israel.
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