At the UN General Assembly, Emmanuel Macron's error on Hamas sparks Israeli anger

Emmanuel Macron at the UN podium in New York on September 22, 2026. RYAN MURPHY/GETTY IMAGES/AFP The Israeli prime minister promised a response aimed at France and all those who denounce his government's actions as contrary to international law. On the eve of his speech at the United Nations, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, Benjamin Netanyahu warned: "You hear the terrible lies being spread there and elsewhere in the world. I will fight against these lies; I will fight to reveal the truth about our soldiers and our country. Yes, and there will also be surprises." Diplomatically isolated, Israel quickly found an opening by denouncing Emmanuel Macron's UN blunder, at a time when relations between the two leaders were already strained. During his speech on Tuesday, September 22, the French president, angered by the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the West Bank – which he described as criminal – made a factual mistake. "Look at what is happening in the West Bank, where, every day, violations are committed in the name of what? Hamas has never operated in the West Bank," he declared passionately. This stance was indefensible. While Hamas has never governed the West Bank, unlike Gaza, the Islamist organization has always maintained a presence and remained active there. The Israeli army regularly announces the dismantling of clandestine cells it says are affiliated with Hamas. The Palestinian Authority also regularly conducts operations against members of the organization responsible for the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack. You have 66.66% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.