Netanyahu’s Fiery Accusations: Starmer, Macron, and Carney Under Fire for Allegedly Siding with Hamas

On May 23, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed a scathing attack on the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron, and Prime Minister Mark Carney of siding with Hamas. The blistering remarks, delivered in a video statement, come amid escalating tensions over Israel’s military operations in Gaza and a recent deadly attack on Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. Netanyahu’s accusations have sparked a fierce diplomatic row, with the three Western leaders rejecting the claims as baseless while reaffirming their calls for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire. Here’s a deeper look at the controversy and its implications for international relations.

The Spark: A Joint Statement on Gaza

The controversy erupted following a joint statement issued on May 19 by Starmer, Macron, and Carney, condemning Israel’s intensified military campaign in Gaza. The leaders described the humanitarian situation in the enclave as “intolerable,” criticizing Israel’s 11-week blockade that had severely restricted food, water, and medical supplies. They labeled Israel’s actions “disproportionate” and warned of “concrete actions” if Netanyahu did not halt the offensive and allow more aid into Gaza. The statement also reiterated support for a two-state solution and demanded that Hamas release hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted.

Netanyahu, however, interpreted the criticism as a direct assault on Israel’s right to defend itself. In his video address, he claimed the three leaders “effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power” by pressuring Israel to stand down. He accused them of aligning with “mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers,” asserting that their stance emboldened Hamas to continue its fight. “When mass murderers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice, humanity, and history,” Netanyahu declared, pointing to Hamas’s reported praise of the joint statement as evidence of their misguided approach.

A Tragic Backdrop: The Washington Attack

Netanyahu’s remarks were framed by the recent killing of two Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, in Washington, D.C. on May 22. The couple, aged 30 and 26, was shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum by Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old from Chicago, who reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during his arrest and told a witness he “did it for Gaza.” Netanyahu linked the attack to what he called “blood libels” against Israel, specifically citing a UN official’s claim that 14,000 Palestinian babies could die within 48 hours if aid was not allowed into Gaza. He argued that such statements, amplified by international criticism like that from Starmer, Macron, and Carney, fuel antisemitism and violence against Jews.

The Washington attack has heightened global tensions, with Israeli officials like Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeling it a “direct result of antisemitic incitement.” Netanyahu’s rhetoric suggests a broader narrative: that Western criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza not only undermines its security but also contributes to violence against Jewish communities worldwide.

Western Leaders Push Back

The accused leaders swiftly rejected Netanyahu’s claims. UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard, speaking on BBC Radio 4, condemned the Washington attack but defended Britain’s position. “We support Israel’s right to self-defense within international humanitarian law,” Pollard said, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire, hostage release by Hamas, and massive aid delivery to Gaza. He called Netanyahu’s accusation that the UK was siding with murderers “unacceptable,” arguing that the best path to peace involves addressing the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot went further, describing Netanyahu’s allegations as “absurd and slanderous.” Barrot, posting on X, clarified that France supports Hamas being “disarmed and excluded from Gaza’s political future,” directly countering Netanyahu’s narrative. Macron, who has previously clashed with Netanyahu over Gaza, reiterated France’s demand for unrestricted humanitarian access, noting that the 90 aid trucks allowed into Gaza on May 22 were “nowhere near enough” to meet the needs of the population, where over 53,000 Palestinians, including 16,500 children, have been killed since October 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Canada’s Mark Carney, while condemning the Washington attack as an “act of antisemitism,” stood by the joint statement, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that ensures Israel’s security while addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UAE, a key mediator in the region, is reportedly negotiating with Israel to allow 100 aid trucks into Gaza on May 24, a move seen as a test of Netanyahu’s willingness to ease the blockade.

A Deeper Divide: The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

At the heart of this dispute is the dire situation in Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has drawn increasing international scrutiny. Since resuming airstrikes in March 2025, Israel has killed 3,613 more Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, following an 11-week total blockade that humanitarian groups warn risks widespread famine. The UN and aid organizations have repeatedly criticized Israel’s restrictions, with some accusing the government of using starvation as a weapon of war—a charge Israel denies, claiming Hamas diverts aid to sustain its fighters.

Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing the offensive until Hamas is defeated and Gaza is demilitarized has put him at odds with even some of Israel’s closest allies. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview with the BBC, called the current administration a “gang of thugs,” accusing Netanyahu of pursuing policies that border on war crimes. Opposition leader Yair Golan has warned that Israel risks becoming a “pariah state” if it does not change course.

A Diplomatic Crossroads

Netanyahu’s accusations against Starmer, Macron, and Carney highlight a growing rift between Israel and its Western allies. The joint statement from the three leaders reflects a broader shift in sentiment, with countries like the Netherlands calling for the EU to review its partnership with Israel over the humanitarian crisis. Ireland’s Tánaiste Simon Harris has accused Israel of “genocidal activity” in Gaza, further escalating the diplomatic pressure.

For Netanyahu, the criticism is not just a challenge to his policies but a betrayal of Israel’s existential struggle. His reference to a potential Palestinian state as a “huge prize for terror” echoes his long-standing opposition to the two-state solution, a position that aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to take over Gaza and expel its population—a plan widely rejected by the international community.

As the war in Gaza grinds on, the fallout from Netanyahu’s accusations could further isolate Israel diplomatically. For Starmer, Macron, and Carney, the challenge lies in balancing their support for Israel’s security with the urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Washington attack, meanwhile, serves as a grim reminder of the global stakes, where words and policies can have deadly consequences far beyond the battlefield.