Netanyahu Slams France, Britain, and Canada Leaders for ‘Emboldening’ Hamas, Says ‘You’re on the Wrong Side of History’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticized the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, asserting that their actions are “emboldening Hamas to continue fighting indefinitely.”

Netanyahu’s remarks were made in response to the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, a couple who were killed on Wednesday night after leaving an American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Elias Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder and other offenses. Rodriguez reportedly stated that his actions were “for Gaza” and to “Free Palestine.”

In his statement, the Israeli leader stated that Hamas “wants to destroy the Jewish state” and eliminate the Jewish people. He expressed his inability to understand how this “simple truth eludes” French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

“It will not surprise you to learn that Hamas thanked President Macron and Prime Ministers Starmer and Carney for demanding that Israel end its war in Gaza immediately. Hamas was right to thank them. Because by issuing their demand—replete with a threat of sanctions against Israel, against Israel, not Hamas—these three leaders effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power,” Netanyahu said.

“Now, these leaders may think that they’re advancing peace. They’re not. They’re emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever.”

These strong statements follow a joint declaration by Macron, Starmer, and Carney, in which they “strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.”

The joint statement continued: “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate. We call on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. This must include engaging with the U.N. to ensure a return to delivery of aid in line with humanitarian principles.”

The three leaders also urged Hamas to “immediately release the remaining hostages they have so cruelly held” since October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu reinforced his position during his address on Thursday evening, telling Macron, Starmer, and Carney: “When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice, you’re on the wrong side of humanity, and you’re on the wrong side of history.”

Criticism of Israel and its conduct in the war persists as Gaza confronts an escalating humanitarian crisis. On Tuesday, May 20, an estimated 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours.

Amid increasing international pressure and criticism concerning Israel’s near-total blockade of the Gaza Strip, set against a backdrop of intensified military actions, limited humanitarian assistance has been permitted to enter the region.

On Friday, May 23, the entry of supplies remained insufficient. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories stated on May 22 that the supplies reaching Gaza are “limited in quantity and nowhere near sufficient to meet the scale and scope of Gaza’s 2.1 million people.”

Netanyahu’s criticism of Macron, Starmer, and Carney echoes similar sentiments expressed by Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar. In response to the D.C. shooting, Sa’ar stated: “There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder. This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries… especially from Europe.”

Saar continued: “This is what happens when leaders in the world surrender to the Palestinian terrorist propaganda. The statements and attacks blame Israel instead of Hamas… I say to these leaders and officials: ‘Stop your incitement against Israel, stop your false accusations.’”

French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Christophe Lemoine stated: “These are completely outrageous and completely unjustified remarks… France has condemned, France condemns, and France will continue to condemn, always and unequivocally, any act of antisemitism.”

Meanwhile, U.K. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard has said Netanyahu is “, in his evaluation of the British position on Hamas and Israel.”

He told BBC’s Radio 4: “We stand in support of Israel’s right to self-defence as long as they conduct that within international humanitarian law; a position we’ve had since those appalling attacks on 7 October. We are also very clear we need to see aid get to the people who are genuinely suffering in Gaza.”

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