Harsh Criticism from French Foreign Minister Barrot to Israel's West Bank Policy

Barrot evaluated the latest developments in the world and in France in the joint broadcast of France Inter radio and France 2 channel, where he was a guest.

Regarding the criticism from Israeli officials regarding French President Emmanuel Macron's statement in his speech at the 81st United Nations (UN) General Assembly this week that Hamas is not operating in the West Bank, Barrot said, "Everyone understood what the President meant." he said.

Barrot emphasized that Macron's words at the UN should not be taken out of context, and said that the usurpation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank continues and that the violence inflicted on Palestinians by extremist Israelis there has increased to an unprecedented extent.

"There is a criminal and scandalous tolerance of the Israeli government towards what is happening in the West Bank." Barrot said that the Israeli government is guilty of this issue both in terms of international law and the security of the country.

'ISRAEL MORTGAGED THE SECURITY OF THE REGION'

Regarding Macron's speech at the UN General Assembly, Barrot said, "The President says that the fight against Hamas and the aim of eradicating it from the future of Palestine cannot justify this policy of tolerance (in the West Bank), and he is right." he said.

The journalist's repeated question: "Is Hamas operating in the West Bank?" Barrot avoided answering the question directly with "Yes" or "No".

"The president's argument is clear: the Israeli government's policy does not lead to weakening Hamas, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank," Barrot said. He argued that the Israeli government's policy "mortgages" international law, the security of the region and the Israeli people.

"Some Israeli politicians do not hesitate to take a sentence out of context to criticize France's stance." Barrot stated that his country's attitude on the issue is different from the attitude of the Tel Aviv government.

UAV CASES IN EUROPE

Regarding whether there is a possibility of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacking the French airport or a nuclear power plant, Barrot said, "This is among the possibilities." he said.

Noting that they have been preparing against these possibilities for a long time, Barrot said, "These hostile actions are not new. We observe that these hostile attacks have shown an increasing trend in recent weeks and months." he said.

Barrot pointed out that Russia's aggression against European countries, including France, has doubled since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War, and argued that this aggression manifests itself in ways such as disinformation, campaigns in cyberspace and sabotage.

MACRON'S DM SPEECH

French President Macron, in his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, USA, on September 22, said that the scene in Gaza was shameful for everyone.

Macron said, "Look at what is happening in the West Bank, where violations occur every day; (these) are being done in the name of what? Hamas has never operated in the West Bank." He used the following expressions.

In the statement made by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, it was stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Macron's statements.