Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the leaders of Britain, France and Canada on Friday of siding with Hamas after they criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and called for a halt to its offensive.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had “effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power” and were aligning themselves with “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers.”
The comments followed a joint statement by the three leaders earlier this week condemning Israel’s expanded military action in Gaza as “disproportionate” and the humanitarian situation there as “intolerable.” The leaders also warned of potential diplomatic consequences unless Israel changes course.
The diplomatic spat escalated following an attack in Washington on Thursday in which two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot dead.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “free Palestine” during his arrest, police said.
Downing Street said Starmer had already condemned the killings, calling antisemitism “an evil we must stamp out.” But Netanyahu argued that criticism of Israel’s actions emboldened Hamas and other militant groups.
“I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer, when mass murderers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of history,” Netanyahu said.
UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard rejected Netanyahu’s criticism, saying Britain supported Israel’s right to self-defence “within international humanitarian law.” France also reiterated its call for increased humanitarian access to Gaza.
On Thursday, Israel allowed over 90 trucks carrying aid into Gaza, but the United Nations said the deliveries remained insufficient. Aid groups have warned of famine risks following an 11-week blockade.
Since Israel launched its military operation in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, more than 53,000 Palestinians – including over 16,000 children – have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The Hamas attack killed around 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert added to the criticism of Netanyahu, calling his government a “gang of thugs” and accusing it of pursuing “atrocious policies.”
