Netanyahu tells Western leaders they’re on ‘wrong side of history’ over Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mince words in his criticism of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Israeli leader’s condemnation comes in response to a joint statement issued by the U.K., France, and Canada demanding an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

In a video statement released on Thursday, Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas does not seek a Palestinian state but rather the destruction of Israel. He questioned why this “simple truth” eludes the leaders of France, Britain, Canada, and others. Netanyahu accused the U.K., France, and Canada of rewarding Hamas with their insistence on the establishment of a Palestinian state, despite the terror group’s violent intentions.

“For 18 years, we had a de facto Palestinian state. It’s called Gaza. And what did we get? Peace? No. We got the most savage slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust,” Netanyahu declared in the video statement.

In response to the joint statement, Hamas issued a statement thanking the U.K., France, and Canada for their rejection of Israel’s policies towards Gaza. The terror organization called for urgent action from Arab and Islamic countries, the European Union, and others to halt what they described as “barbaric Zionist aggression.”

Netanyahu directly addressed President Macron, Prime Minister Carney, and Prime Minister Starmer, warning them that by aligning themselves with Hamas, they were on the wrong side of justice, humanity, and history. He accused them of emboldening Hamas to continue its violent actions by believing they were advancing peace.

The Israeli Prime Minister also condemned the recent murders of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were killed in an antisemitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Netanyahu stressed that the terrorists behind the attack targeted the victims because they were Jewish.

While Starmer’s office pointed to the Prime Minister’s condemnation of the attack, Carney’s office did not immediately respond to inquiries. Efforts to reach President Macron’s office for comment are ongoing.

In conclusion, Netanyahu’s strong words reflect the ongoing tensions in the region and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli leader’s firm stance against terrorism and his criticism of international leaders highlights the challenges of finding a lasting resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.