Israel Accuses Macron of ‘Crusade Against the Jewish State’ Over Gaza Aid Criticism, Settlement Sanctions Threat

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers the keynote address at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 30, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Edgar Su

Israel has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of waging a “crusade against the Jewish state” after the French leader called on European nations to adopt a tougher stance toward Israel over its handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“President Macron’s Crusade Against the Jewish State Continues,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X. “The facts do not interest Macron. There is no humanitarian blockade. That is a blatant lie.”

Speaking at a press conference in Singapore on Friday, Macron urged European countries to “harden the collective position” against Israel and warned of possible sanctions against Israeli settlers.

“The humanitarian blockade is creating a situation that is untenable on the ground,” the French leader said alongside Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. “If there is no response that meets the humanitarian situation in the coming hours and days, obviously, we will have to toughen our collective position.”

Israel has strongly denied allegations of causing starvation in Gaza, emphasizing that, prior to its recent blockade, it had consistently delivered substantial humanitarian aid to the enclave throughout the conflict.

In its statement, the ministry explained Israel is currently enabling two key initiatives to deliver humanitarian aid while bypassing Hamas — which Israeli officials have accused of diverting supplies to fund terrorism and profiting off the remainder.

The Israeli government has also argued that international agencies are unfit to manage aid distribution, claiming they allow Hamas to exploit the aid system.

According to the ministry, “nearly 900 aid trucks have already entered Gaza from Israel this week” as part of the first major effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to the war-torn enclave.

“Hundreds of these trucks are still waiting for the UN to collect and distribute them in Gaza,” the statement said.

The second initiative involves the newly launched Gaza Humanitarian Fund, backed by the US and international partners, which “has already distributed two million meals and tens of thousands of aid packages” since beginning operations earlier this week, the ministry said.

As part of this operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inspects the shipments at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. The aid is then distributed at designated centers in southern Gaza, secured by American contractors, while non-governmental organizations handle direct distribution to ensure Hamas does not divert the supplies.

“This direct aid to the population in Gaza — bypassing Hamas — is already changing the situation on the ground and has the potential to seriously harm the terrorists and shorten the war,” the ministry said in its statement.

The ministry also condemned Macron’s proposal for sanctions on Israeli settlers, emphasizing that Israel is “under attack on multiple fronts in an attempt to destroy it.”

“But instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt its national day will be Oct. 7,” the ministry said, referring to the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

During his two-day state visit to Singapore, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to a two-state solution while addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue – Asia’s leading defense forum.

“The existence of a Palestinian state is not just simply a moral duty but also a political necessity,” the French leader said.

Macron’s latest call for a Palestinian state came as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Friday to build a “Jewish Israeli state” in the West Bank, following the government’s announcement of 22 new settlements in the territory.

“This is a decisive response to the terrorist organizations that are trying to harm and weaken our hold on this land – and it is also a clear message to Macron and his associates: they will recognize a Palestinian state on paper – but we will build the Jewish Israeli state here on the ground,” the Israeli official said.