‘Prize for genocidal attack’: Netanyahu hits back at Starmer, Macron & Carney, praises Trump

Hours after France, the United Kingdom, and Canada issued a joint statement threatening “targeted sanctions” against Israel’s for its renewed military offensive in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday lashed out at the leaders of the three countries, accusing them of effectively rewarding Hamas for what he called a genocidal attack on October 7.

In their statement on Monday, the British, French, and Canadian heads of government condemned the “intolerable” humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

They urged Israel to halt its intensified military campaign, which follows a prolonged blockade and has included a new wave of ground operations and airstrikes.

“Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7. We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” Politico quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as writing in a joint statement.

“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,” they added.

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The rare, joint intervention by Starmer, Macron and Carney earned a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu, who hit out at the three leaders in a statement of his own late Monday.

“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, Ottowa [sic] and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” Politico quoted Netanyahu as writing on social media.

Netanyahu, however, voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan for Gaza, which includes taking control of the territory, removing its Palestinian population, and redeveloping the area.

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“Israel accepts President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same,” Netanyahu said.

While the proposal has been widely rejected by Middle Eastern and European nations, as well as the United Nations — which cautioned against any form of ethnic cleansing — it has been swiftly endorsed by the Israeli prime minister.

The joint declaration by the UK, France, and Canada signals a growing rift between Israel and some of its key Western allies over its prolonged military campaign in Gaza.

The offensive began in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 cross-border attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis.

President Macron has clashed repeatedly with Prime Minister Netanyahu — first over his call to suspend arms deliveries to Israel, and more recently after suggesting that France might recognise a Palestinian state.

Adding to the mounting pressure, the Netherlands recently urged the European Union to reassess its partnership with Israel, citing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands face starvation and disease due to ongoing Israeli military operations.

On Tuesday, France threw its support behind the Dutch initiative, backing a review of the EU-Israel association agreement.

“I call on the European Commission to take a look at this agreement,” Politico quoted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

“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,” he said on French radio.

With inputs from agencies