Macron’s Gaza comments: Echoing Hamas, abandoning allies

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron sparked controversy during an interview on TF1 television, labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza as “shameful.”

This provocative statement, made amid Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hamas, drew a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu’s office, which accused Macron of siding with a “murderous terrorist organization” and perpetuating “false propaganda.”

Macron’s comments not only misrepresent the realities of Israel’s defensive war but also undermine the broader struggle against terrorism, raising questions about France’s commitment to its democratic allies.

Macron’s Misstep: A Flawed Narrative

Macron’s assertion that Israel’s actions in Gaza are “shameful” ignores the context of the conflict. Since Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people, including French citizens, and saw 251 individuals taken hostage, Israel has been engaged in a multi-front battle for its survival. 

The Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas—a group designated as a terrorist organization by France, the EU, and the United States—has been used as a base for rocket attacks, tunnel networks, and human shield tactics. Israel’s military campaign, relaunched in March 2025 after a collapsed ceasefire, aims to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and prevent further atrocities.

Macron’s criticism, centered on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, fails to acknowledge Hamas’s role in exacerbating civilian suffering. 

The terrorist group has been documented using hospitals, schools, and civilian areas as operational hubs, deliberately endangering non-combatants. Israel, by contrast, has implemented measures to minimize civilian casualties, including evacuation warnings and humanitarian corridors, despite Hamas’s efforts to block these routes. 

Macron’s claim that Israel’s blockade of aid is “unacceptable” overlooks reports that Hamas diverts aid for its own purposes, leaving civilians in dire straits. His selective outrage paints Israel as the sole aggressor, ignoring the root cause of the conflict: Hamas’s relentless terrorism.

Netanyahu’s Response: A Call for Clarity

Netanyahu’s office responded swiftly, condemning Macron’s remarks as a betrayal of democratic values. The statement highlighted that Israel is fighting “for its existence” following the October 7 massacre, which included the murder and abduction of French nationals.

 It accused Macron of echoing Hamas’s propaganda and demanded that he focus on pressuring the terrorist group to release hostages, including French citizens, rather than calling for Israel to “surrender and reward terrorism.”

The Israeli response also underscored a broader point: Macron’s rhetoric risks emboldening terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and their Iranian backers. 

By framing Israel’s defensive actions as “shameful,” Macron not only distorts the conflict but also weakens the collective resolve of Western democracies to combat terrorism. Netanyahu’s office rightly noted that Macron’s stance contrasts with the need for solidarity against an “axis of terror” that threatens not just Israel but global security, including France itself.

This is not the first time Macron has taken a critical stance toward Israel. In October 2024, he called for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza, prompting Netanyahu to label the move a “disgrace.” 

Earlier, in 2023, Macron urged Israel to stop bombing civilians, prompting clarifications from French diplomats that he did not mean to imply deliberate targeting. His latest remarks, however, mark a new low, as they align with a narrative that equates Israel’s self-defense with war crimes, even as he refrains from calling the situation a “genocide.”

Macron’s evolving rhetoric appears driven by domestic and international pressures, including growing anti-Israel sentiment in Europe and protests in France. 

Yet, his comments risk alienating a key ally and undermining France’s credibility as a mediator in the Middle East. By focusing on Israel’s actions while downplaying Hamas’s atrocities, Macron perpetuates a double standard that fuels anti-Semitism and emboldens extremists.

The Humanitarian Crisis: A Shared Responsibility

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is undeniably dire, with reports of starvation and lack of medical supplies. However, blaming Israel alone is both unfair and counterproductive. 

Hamas’s refusal to prioritize civilian welfare, coupled with its theft of aid, has exacerbated the crisis. International actors, including France, should focus on pressuring Hamas to release hostages and cease hostilities, while ensuring aid reaches those in need without being siphoned off by terrorists. Macron’s call for reviewing EU-Israel trade ties further isolates Israel, a democratic state, while doing little to address the root causes of the conflict.

Macron’s remarks on TF1 reflect a troubling trend of moral equivocation. Instead of standing unequivocally with Israel—a nation fighting for its survival against a terrorist group responsible for the deaths of French citizens—he has chosen to amplify a narrative that vilifies the victim. This approach not only undermines Israel’s security but also weakens the West’s collective fight against terrorism.

France, with its own history of battling terrorism, should recognize the stakes. 

Macron must retract his inflammatory comments and reaffirm France’s solidarity with Israel. The path to peace lies not in condemning Israel’s defense but in dismantling Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure, securing the release of hostages, and fostering a future where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in security. Anything less is a capitulation to the forces of violence and division.