Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron on May 14, 2025, declaring that Macron “should not preach morality” after he labeled Israel’s Gaza aid blockade “unacceptable” and “shameful.” Katz’s pointed reference to France’s treatment of Jews during World War II escalated a diplomatic row amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, highlighting tensions over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. This article examines the dispute, France’s historical role in WWII, and the worsening situation in Gaza.
The Katz-Macron Diplomatic Clash
In a televised interview with TF1 on May 13, 2025, Macron condemned Israel’s blockade of Gaza, in place since March 2, stating, “There is no water, no medicine, the wounded cannot get out, the doctors cannot get in. What [Netanyahu’s government] is doing is shameful” Reuters. Katz responded with a statement invoking France’s WWII history: “We remember well what happened to the Jews in France when they couldn’t defend themselves. President Macron should not preach morality to us.” He claimed Israel’s military operates with “the highest moral standards” compared to France’s past conflicts The Jerusalem Post.
The dispute follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s similar accusation that Macron was siding with “a murderous Islamist terrorist organisation” (Hamas) The Times of Israel. The war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,218 people, has led to 52,928 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, deemed reliable by the UN Al Jazeera. Israel’s intensified operations since March 18, 2025, aim to free 57 hostages (34 presumed dead) and dismantle Hamas, but the blockade has drawn global condemnation.
Historical Fact: France’s Vichy Regime and the Jews
France’s collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II remains a dark chapter in its history. From 1940 to 1944, under Marshal Philippe Pétain, the Vichy government actively collaborated with Nazi Germany, deporting over 75,000 Jews to death camps, including 11,000 children, during the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup of 1942. Katz’s reference to this period underscores Israel’s sensitivity to historical accusations of moral failure, though critics argue it deflects from addressing Gaza’s current crisis. France’s belated acknowledgment of Vichy’s crimes, notably in President Jacques Chirac’s 1995 apology, shapes its modern human rights stance Yad Vashem.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis and Global Reactions
The Gaza blockade has exacerbated a humanitarian catastrophe, with the United Nations warning of imminent famine and widespread malnutrition The Guardian. Aid organizations report that 70% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents are displaced, with no access to clean water or medical care Human Rights Watch. Israel defends the blockade as necessary to pressure Hamas to release hostages and prevent arms smuggling, but critics, including Macron, argue it violates international law by punishing civilians BBC.
X posts reflect divided sentiments: some users support Macron’s call for accountability X, while others echo Katz’s view, citing France’s historical and colonial record X. Macron’s appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump underscores Europe’s limited leverage, as Israel relies on American arms. The dispute highlights the challenge of addressing Gaza’s crisis diplomatically, with ceasefire efforts stalled and international pressure mounting Dawn.
Author: Planet-Today.com
Via AFP
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