Relations between France and Israel are experiencing an unprecedented escalation. The Israeli government reacted strongly to the criticisms issued by French President Emmanuel Macron concerning the conduct of the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Macron of leading a “crusade against the Jewish state”.
During a press conference on May 30, 2025, Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern in the face of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, qualifying the living conditions in the Palestinian enclave “intolerable”. He warned that a continuation of the obstruction of humanitarian aid could lead France to harden its position towards Israel, even considering sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank if the situation does not improve quickly.
The French president also stressed that the objective declared by Israel to completely destroy Hamas could lead to a ten-year war, calling for a clarification of Israeli objectives and in search of a lasting cease-fire.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Emmanuel Macron of showing a serious moral and factual error, saying that the responsibility for civil losses is the responsibility of Hamas, that he accuses of civilians as human shields. Netanyahu said that Macron’s criticisms are equivalent to a position in favor of Hamas.
This verbal confrontation marks a notable deterioration of relations between two historical allies. While France insists on the need for a proportionate response and respect for international humanitarian law, Israel maintains that its actions are a legitimate response to the attacks of Hamas and that any criticism weakens its position in the fight against terrorism.
