Netanyahu Blasts UK, France, and Canada Leaders Over Gaza Criticism After Washington Embassy Attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the leaders of France and Canada. He said they "want Hamas to stay in power."

Netanyahu said Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Mark Carney were siding with "mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers."

He spoke after a deadly attack on Israeli embassy staff in Washington on Thursday. Days before, the UK, France, and Canada called Israel's attacks in Gaza "disproportionate" and said the humanitarian situation was "intolerable."

Downing Street pointed out that Sir Keir condemned the Washington attack. Sir Keir called antisemitism an "evil we must stop."

All three countries strongly condemned the Washington killings. Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were shot dead at an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, shouted "free Palestine" as he was arrested.

The UK, France, and Canada, close allies of Israel, also strongly supported Israel after the Hamas attacks 19 months ago.

Their recent statement asked Israel to stop its latest attacks. It was seen as the strongest criticism of Israel's military action since the war started. They said there could be serious actions if Israel did not change.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir said Israel’s aid to Gaza was "utterly inadequate." The UK stopped talks on a possible trade deal.

Netanyahu said Hamas wants to destroy Israel and the Jewish people. He said Hamas welcomed the UK, French, and Canadian criticism.

He said some of Israel’s closest allies want Israel to "stand down and let Hamas’s army of killers survive."

He told Macron, Carney, and Starmer: "When killers thank you, you are on the wrong side of justice, humanity, and history."

Netanyahu also blamed a UN official, Tom Fletcher, who said thousands of babies would soon die in Gaza if aid did not come quickly.

He said many international groups spread this claim. The press repeats it. The public believes it. Then, a young couple was killed in Washington.

A UN spokesman said babies need urgent help and could die without it.

Also on Thursday, Israeli minister Amichai Chikli said Sir Keir and others "encourage terror."

On Friday, UK armed forces minister Luke Pollard said the UK supports Israel’s right to defend itself but wants aid to reach those suffering in Gaza.

The French foreign ministry also called for Israel to let aid in freely and in large amounts.

On Thursday, more than 90 trucks brought aid into Gaza. But the UN said it was "not enough" to help the people there.

This small amount follows an 11-week blockade. Humanitarian groups warn of famine. Israel has kept air strikes since March. Over 3,600 Palestinians have died, said Gaza’s health ministry.

In a BBC interview, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the current Israeli government a "gang of thugs." He said Netanyahu is the leader of this gang.

Olmert said the government’s critics call him names, but he will keep speaking out against their harsh policies.

Israel began its military campaign after Hamas attacked on 7 October 2023. About 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage.

Since then, at least 53,762 people, including 16,500 children, have died in Gaza, said Hamas’s health ministry.