Netanyahu accuses leaders of Britain, France and Canada of 'emboldening Hamas'

In a post on X on Thursday evening, the Israeli prime minister said Hamas wanted to “destroy the Jewish state” and “annihilate the Jewish people”. File picture: AP Photo

Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the leaders of Britain, France and Canada of "emboldening Hamas", after they called for a halt to Israel’s military offensive and an end to restrictions on humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney condemned the Israeli government’s “egregious” actions in Gaza, warning that the allies will take “concrete actions” unless Mr Netanyahu changes course.

In a post on X on Thursday evening, the Israeli prime minister said Hamas wanted to “destroy the Jewish state” and “annihilate the Jewish people”.

“I could never understand how this simple truth evades the leaders of France, Britain, Canada and others,” Mr Netanyahu said.

“I say to President Macron, Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer, when mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice.

“Because by issuing their demand — replete with a threat of sanctions against Israel, against Israel, not Hamas — these three leaders effectively said they want Hamas to remain in power.”

Mr Netanyahu said the actions of the leaders were not “advancing peace”, but “emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever”.

The Israeli leader’s comments come after two Israeli embassy staff were killed in Washington DC.

The victims, a man and a woman, were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the 31-year-old suspect approached.

Israel’s foreign minister identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.

The attack has sent shockwaves around the world and prompted Israeli missions to beef up security.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities said on Thursday, as they announced criminal charges.

Mr Starmer described the shooting as “antisemitic”.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in Washington (Embassy of Israel in the US via AP)

He said: “I thoroughly condemn the antisemitic attack outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC.

“Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears.

“My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.”

The man accused of the fatal shooting told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” federal authorities said Thursday, as they announced criminal charges.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, shouted “Free Palestine” as he was led away after his arrest and told police that he was the one who “did it”, according to charging documents that provided chilling new details of a Wednesday night attack that killed an American woman and Israeli man who were set to become engaged.

Authorities described the slayings as a targeted act of terror.

Rodriguez faces charges of murder of foreign officials and other crimes. Additional charges are likely, prosecutors said on Thursday, as authorities continue to investigate the killings as both a hate crime against the Jewish community and terrorism.