Macron Faces Backlash Over Comments on Israel and Media Criticism
French President Emmanuel Macron faced sharp criticism on Friday after blaming journalists, ministers, and commentators for fueling controversy over his remarks on Israel, which he claimed were taken out of context.
During a tense press conference following an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Macron opened with a scathing critique of those who, according to him, had distorted comments he made during a private cabinet meeting. He accused them of displaying a "lack of professionalism" in their reporting.
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Macron's remarks in the meeting reportedly included a reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "Mr. Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN." This alluded to the 1947 UN resolution that partitioned Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, sparking significant backlash from both Netanyahu and French political figures.
Netanyahu denounced Macron's comment as a "distressing distortion of history" and "disrespect." Gérard Larcher, the speaker of France’s Senate, expressed shock, accusing Macron of showing "ignorance" about historical events.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Macron said he was "astonished" by the reactions to his remarks, claiming they were misrepresented. "I must tell you how surprised I was to see so many comments and reactions, including from political leaders, foreign and French, without anyone trying to verify exactly what I said," Macron asserted.
He singled out "ministers," "journalists," and "commentators" for perpetuating false narratives, insisting that his statements had been misconstrued. "I believe I speak enough about the Middle East not to need a ventriloquist," he said, adding that journalists should exercise caution when reporting sensitive information.
The president's remarks were initially reported by two anonymous sources who attended the meeting, which sparked controversy both in Israel and France. The crux of the issue was Macron’s alleged suggestion that Israel must adhere to UN resolutions in its actions in Lebanon and Gaza—an implication that infuriated Netanyahu.
In response to the backlash, Macron emphasized there was "no ambiguity" in France’s position on Israel’s right to exist. However, his comments continued to draw ire from French political circles. The Association of the Presidential Press (APP) condemned Macron for questioning the ethics of the media, asserting that journalists "investigate and cross-check sources rigorously."
Supporters of Macron defended his stance, with pro-Macron MP Mathieu Lefevre warning that distorting the president’s words "is a dangerous game for the country."
Meanwhile, Macron’s critics, including Green MP Benjamin Lucas, took to social media to mock his position. "Why don't journalists just blindly reproduce official statements? Why bother with fact-checking or seeking the truth?" Lucas posted sarcastically on X (formerly Twitter).
As foreign policy remains one of the few areas where Macron has significant leeway following a fragmented legislative outcome this summer, the president now finds himself further isolated amid this media firestorm.