- “We Will Take Action Against Netanyahu,” Starmer, Macron, Carney Declare
- “Israel Won’t Stop”, Netanyahu Replies Starmer, Macron, Carney
By Abiola Olawale
In a fiery exchange that has captured international attention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has locked horns with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney over Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
The heated debate escalated after a joint statement from Starmer, Macron and Carney.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Starmer, Macron, and Carney issued a joint statement, slamming what they described as Israel’s “wholly disproportionate” military offensive in Gaza and its alleged restrictions on humanitarian aid, which they warned could violate international humanitarian law.
The leaders demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s renewed operations and the lifting of aid blockades, threatening “further concrete actions” if Netanyahu’s government does not comply.
The statement emphasized what it described as the “intolerable” level of human suffering in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed and hundreds of thousands face starvation and disease.
The three leaders said: “We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism.
“But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.”
However, Netanyahu hit back, accusing Starmer, Macron, and Carney of “offering a huge prize” to Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
In a statement, he claimed the leaders’ calls for a ceasefire were tantamount to inviting “more such atrocities” and undermining Israel’s right to self-defence.
Netanyahu insisted that Israel’s military campaign is essential to secure “total victory” and ensure Gaza poses no future threat.
He asserted: “By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state.
“The leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.
“The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarized.
“No nation can be expected to accept anything less and Israel certainly won’t.
“This is a war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”
