Israel accuses Macron — Israeli officials have sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of presenting a distorted view of reality in his recent United Nations General Assembly speech. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Macron’s remarks a “grotesque absurdity” for stating that Hamas has never operated in the West Bank.

In his address, Macron focused on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, calling for international mobilization and reaffirming support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and lawmaker Gadi Eisenkot contested the French leader’s claim, insisting that Hamas maintains networks and activities in the territory.

The controversy also reached Washington, where U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee judged Macron’s speech disconnected from reality and accused Hamas of being responsible for the deaths of American civilians. A French diplomatic official later clarified to *The Times of Israel* that Macron meant to indicate Hamas does not govern the West Bank, not deny its presence there.

The diplomatic spat follows the recent killing of a Franco-Israeli citizen, Netanel Shukrun, in the West Bank. Israeli authorities claim the attacker was a Hamas member and announced the shooter’s arrest.