World leaders condemn Netanyahu’s comments on Macron, Carney and Starmer

say criticism is baseless slander

In a rapidly escalating diplomatic confrontation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn fierce criticism from world leaders after accusing Macron, Carney, and Starmer of fanning antisemitism.

According to The Guardian, Netanyahu on Friday, May 23, 2025, also criticized leaders of France, Canada, and the United Kingdom for aligning with Hamas by calling for an end to Israel’s two-month blockade of Gaza.

Netanyahu’s remarks have intensified an already strained relationship with Israel’s traditional allies.

He accused them of abandoning the country during what he described as an existential war.

Netanyahu’s provocative comments came Thursday night in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he responded to a joint statement made earlier in the week by the three leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Israel to halt its military offensive in Gaza.

This offensive has reportedly has led to over 3,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict resumed in March.

Netanyahu countered that Hamas seeks the destruction of the Jewish state and that Western leaders fail to understand this fundamental truth.

He declared that when such groups thank world leaders, “you’re on the wrong side of justice.”

He accused them of emboldening Hamas rather than promoting peace.

Adding to the tension, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar implied that the recent killing of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington was influenced by international criticism of Israel.

Though he did not name any countries, his comments appeared to respond to statements like that of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Lammy had described recent Israeli actions as “extremist and abominable.”

Netanyahu also lashed out at the United Nations following an inaccurate statement by its humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, who claimed 14,000 Palestinian babies could die within 48 hours unless aid was allowed into Gaza.

Fletcher later clarified he had misinterpreted a UN report.

According to him, the report actually projected that number of severe malnutrition cases could occur over a full year, not two days.

Netanyahu accused international institutions of spreading misinformation, suggesting this helped fuel the violence in Washington.

The international backlash was swift.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned Netanyahu’s comments as defamatory.

He stated that equating advocacy for a two-state solution with support for Hamas or antisemitism was “absurd and slanderous.”

Barrot reiterated France’s position that Hamas should be disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s political future.

In the UK, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard reiterated the government’s condemnation of the Washington killings.

On the other hand, he also calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

He emphasized that delivering essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine was a moral and strategic imperative.

Germany, a long-time staunch ally of Israel due to historical obligations, expressed concern that aid entering Gaza remained “too little, too late.”

However, Germany opposed an EU initiative to review its trade agreement with Israel on human rights grounds.

In the Middle East, Arab leaders viewed Netanyahu’s confrontation with Western nations as an effort to bolster his political standing.

They warned that he risked permanently damaging Israel’s global reputation by waging a war without clear objectives.

The leaders pointed to the United States’ recent diplomatic efforts, which they believe have been more effective in securing hostage releases, as proof of a better alternative to continued aggression.

Israel has maintained that the blockade aims to isolate Hamas and end its rule in Gaza.

However, negotiations involving the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel’s closest Arab ally, are ongoing to allow the entry of 100 aid trucks managed by UN agencies such as the World Food Programme.

The UAE, reportedly supported by Donald Trump, has pushed for this to occur even on the Jewish Sabbath.

It views it as a test of Israel’s sincerity.

The UAE criticized Israel’s proposed alternative aid channel, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

It said the channel is being weeks away from functionality, too late for many starving Palestinians.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as potentially the “cruelest phase of this cruel conflict.”

He stated that only a “teaspoon” of aid had entered Gaza, while 16,000 pallets, enough to fill 9,000 trucks, await clearance.

Guterres accused Israel of creating unnecessary barriers and noted that 80% of Gaza has been declared off-limits by the Israeli military.

Only 119 aid trucks have entered Gaza since Netanyahu eased the blockade.

Also, distribution has been hindered by looting, including armed groups near Khan Younis.

A coalition of Palestinian aid organizations reported that food for children and families was stolen.

It also condemned Israeli airstrikes on security personnel protecting the trucks.

Hamas claimed six members of its security detail were killed, but the Israeli military has not commented.

The aid groups argue that current supplies are insufficient.

They also accuse Israel of using the partial easing as a tactic to reduce international pressure, rather than a genuine attempt to lift the blockade.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook