Israel rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) after he criticised Israeli actions in the West Bank in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
In his last speech as President addressing the UN’s signature annual diplomatic gathering, Mr. Mr. Macron deplored the humanitarian situation in Gaza — from which Hamas led the October 7, 2023 attack, the deadliest ever against Israel — as well as actions by Israel in the West Bank.
Macron said that “Hamas has never struck in the West Bank”, a territory seized by Israel in 1967 that is home to the Palestinian Authority.
A minister in Mr. Netanyahu’s government called for his execution under a new law. Extremist Israeli settlers frequently attack and steal from West Bank Palestinians.
The United Nations said there were about six settler-related violent incidents against Palestinians or their property daily through mid-2026 in the territory.
The Israeli military said it arrested the Palestinian gunman at a hospital and troops later raided his village.
“Hamas terrorists carry out attacks against Jews almost every day.
“The grotesque absurdity of Emmanuel Macron’s statement is staggering,” said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to deliver a defiant address to the world body on Thursday (September 24, 2026). They have murdered countless Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria,” it said, using the Biblical name for the West Bank. Israel said that the victim, father of six, Netanel Shukrun, also had French citizenship.
