Netanyahu and Smotrich Attack Macron Over Criticism of Israel

French President Emmanuel Macron downplayed the peace efforts in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, stating that they have not succeeded in opening any humanitarian corridor and that what is happening is a spectacle that everyone should be ashamed of.

The French President's remarks came during his speech at the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.

Macron criticized the escalation of violence by settlers in the West Bank, stating that it "deprives the Palestinian people of their legitimate right to exist."

Netanyahu's office commented on the French President's remarks, stating that "the blatant absurdity of Emmanuel Macron's statements is astonishing," according to him.

Netanyahu's office added that "Hamas elements carry out attacks on Jews almost daily, and have killed countless Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], and ignorance is not an excuse for shedding their blood."

Similarly, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the French President, saying: "Macron is lying and the terror organization [Hamas] is fueling Arab terror in Judea and Samaria, and is a large part of it and its activity," he claimed.

Smotrich added in a new post on his official account on the American company "X" platform on Tuesday, that "in the face of this terror, we will stand as a solid wall, fortify and strengthen the settlement, and build the security belt for the State of Israel."

Later, the Israeli Finance Minister warned what he called the "Eizenkot-Lieberman-Golan government," claiming that it "will dismantle the settlements we have established and establish a state of terror in the heart of the State of Israel."

Referring to Gadi Eizenkot, leader of the "Yesh" party, Avigdor Lieberman, head of the "Israel Beytenu" party, and Yair Golan, head of the "Democrats" party.

Smotrich added in his post: "Macron is waiting for that [dismantling of settlements], and the European Union is waiting for it, and we will prevent it from happening... only a strong religious Zionism will prevent it from happening," he said.

Later, Danny Danon, Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, harshly criticized the French President, saying: "Mr. President Emmanuel Macron, do your homework well before giving lessons to Israel."

Danon added in a new post on his official account on the American company "X" platform on Tuesday, saying: "Macron... check the facts."

Since the start of the Israeli genocide war on the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, the army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, including killings, arrests, displacement, bulldozing of agricultural lands, demolition of homes, and settlement expansion.