Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his outrage towards the leaders of France, the U.K., and Canada following their joint statement threatening “targeted sanctions” in response to Israel's renewed military offensive in Gaza. This military campaign has intensified after months of blockade and has included a new wave of ground assaults and air strikes, leading to a deeply concerning humanitarian situation in the region.
On Monday, the heads of government from the U.K., France, and Canada condemned the “intolerable” humanitarian crisis in the besieged coastal enclave. They called on Israel to immediately halt its military actions, emphasizing that the situation warrants urgent international attention. “Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism. However, this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” the leaders stated in their joint declaration.
They warned, “We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.” This rare collective intervention reflects a shift in the attitudes of Israel's Western allies regarding its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
In response, Netanyahu vehemently criticized the leaders of the U.K., Canada, and France, asserting that their demands would compromise Israel's security. He stated, “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.”
Netanyahu further emphasized his support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial vision for Gaza, which includes proposals for expelling the Palestinian population and redeveloping the territory. While this plan has been widely criticized by many Middle Eastern and European countries, as well as the United Nations, Netanyahu remains an advocate for it.
The joint declaration from the British, French, and Canadian leaders underscores a growing discontent among Israel’s traditional allies regarding its military actions in Gaza, which have led to significant loss of life. Following Hamas’ October 7 raid that claimed 1,200 Israeli lives, international relations have become increasingly strained.
French President Emmanuel Macron has previously clashed with Netanyahu over arms deliveries to Israel and has recently floated the idea of recognizing a Palestinian state. Additionally, the Netherlands has urged the European Union to reevaluate its partnership with Israel, citing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives due to Israel's military actions.
In a further escalation of diplomatic pressure, on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced France's support for the Dutch proposal to reassess the EU association agreement with Israel. He stated, “I call on the European Commission to take a look at this agreement. The agreement has a political dimension and also a trade one. It’s in nobody’s interest to end it. But the situation in Gaza forces us to increase the pressure.”
This development highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate under the weight of military conflict.
Clea Caulcutt contributed to this report.
