Netanyahu reprimands UK, France and Canada leaders for backing Hamas
Israeli PM criticizes the collective stance of Western leaders as they urge a halt to the offensive in Gaza and the easing of restrictions on humanitarian aid supplies in the region.
Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Mark Carney of "emboldening Hamas" after they called for an end to Israel’s military offensive and restrictions on humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Earlier this week, the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada condemned the Israeli government’s "egregious" actions in Gaza, warning that the UK and its allies will take "concrete actions" unless Netanyahu changes course.
In a post on X on Thursday evening, the Israeli prime minister stated that Hamas aimed to "destroy the Jewish state" and "annihilate the Jewish people."
"I could never understand how this simple truth escapes the leaders of France, Britain, Canada, and others," Netanyahu said.
"I say to President Macron, prime minister Carney, and prime minister Starmer, when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice."
Netanyahu said that the leaders’ actions were not "advancing peace" but "emboldening Hamas to continue fighting indefinitely."
The Israeli leader’s comments were made in a video posted online where he addressed the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC on Wednesday. The attack has sent shock waves across the world and prompted Israeli missions to enhance security.
On Thursday, Starmer described the shooting as "antisemitic," adding, "my thoughts are with their colleagues, family, and loved ones, and as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community."
Downing Street said the government had offered its "full support to the Israeli embassy in London."
Earlier this week, UK-Israeli relations reached their lowest point in decades following the suspension of negotiations over a new free trade deal by the British foreign secretary, David Lammy, who cited Israel’s cabinet ministers’ calls to "purify Gaza" by expelling Palestinians as repellent, monstrous, and extremist. The UK also imposed sanctions on some Israeli settlers.
On Friday, the armed forces minister, Luke Pollard, defended the UK’s condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and said he disagreed with Netanyahu’s claim that the UK, France, and Canada were siding with mass murderers.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "I fully condemn the murders of the Israeli diplomats in the United States, as has the prime minister very publicly.
"But we’re also absolutely clear that the best way to bring peace to the Middle East is with an immediate ceasefire being restored in Gaza, with Hamas releasing the hostages without any further delay, and with massive amounts of aid getting to the Palestinian people in Gaza – food, water, and medical supplies being delivered – without delay.
"That’s the best way to secure a safe future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, with a ceasefire, with hostage release, and with aid getting through.
"That’s the case that the prime minister has been making alongside our allies this week, and we should not divert our focus from the critical humanitarian situation that still exists in Gaza.
"Of course, we condemn the murders, and our thoughts go out to the families of those diplomats who were brutally murdered in that antisemitic attack in the United States.
"But to draw that comparison is not correct. We stand in support of Israel’s right to self-defense, as long as they conduct that within international humanitarian law, a position that we’ve maintained since those appalling attacks on October 7.
"And we also are very clear that we need to see aid get to the people who are genuinely suffering in Gaza at the moment. That’s a consistent position that we’ve been asserting privately and publicly for many, many months."
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