‘Don’t Lecture Us on Morality’: Israel Responds to Macron’s ‘Shameful’ Barb Over Gaza Aid Flow

Latest Developments

• Macron Calls for Review of EU-Israel Cooperation: French President Emmanuel Macron called on the European Union to review its cooperation agreements with Israel, citing the restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Macron denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions as “unacceptable” and “shameful,” emphasizing that Europe should “increase pressure” on Israel to resume aid shipments. After suspending the flow of aid in March, Israel has been collaborating with the United States to establish an independent aid distribution mechanism that circumvents the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist group, which has stolen and profited from aid shipments intended for Gazan civilians.
• Macron Echoing Hamas Propaganda, Netanyahu Says: Netanyahu condemned the French leader for allegedly echoing Hamas’s propaganda and “demanding that Israel surrender and reward terrorism.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told Macron not to “lecture Israel on morality,” adding, “We remember well what happened to Jews in France when they couldn’t defend themselves” during World War II.
• Merz Calls to Avert ‘Famine’: Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called on all sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict to avert a “famine” in Gaza — which has not been officially declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, an internationally-recognized measure for food security. Macron’s and Merz’s comments add to a growing chorus of European leaders demanding a reassessment of ties with Israel. The Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Finland, and Portugal have called for the European Union to downgrade trade relations with the Jewish state.

FDD Expert Response

“President Macron is fast becoming a fair-weather friend of Israel; sympathetic when the Jewish state is subjected to terrorist outrages, yet reproachful when Israel undertakes a military response. Throughout this conflict, European governments have failed to address the theft of aid by Hamas or its manipulation of aid to preserve its brutal rule. Rather than seeking to punish Israel, Europe must work with Jerusalem to ensure the restoration of an aid flow that bypasses the Hamas murderers and rapists.” — Ben Cohen, Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director

“President Macron understands that resuming aid to Gaza without meaningful reforms will ultimately serve to strengthen Hamas. Unrestricted aid distribution risks sustaining the group’s grip on power and prolonging the conflict. Instead of directing criticism at Israel, Macron should acknowledge that the current crisis stems from Hamas, which initiated the war and continues to exploit humanitarian aid and manipulate the suffering of Palestinian civilians to ensure its survival. If Hamas remains in control of Gaza, the cycle of violence will persist.” — Joe Truzman Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Weak Minister’: Dutch Foreign Policy Chief Calls for Review of EU-Israel Trade Agreement,” FDD Flash Brief

“Turning ‘Humanitarian Aid Into a Budget For Terrorism’: Israel Suspends Aid Flow to Gaza After Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Extension,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel helped avert a famine in Gaza but gets no credit,” by David Adesnik