Netanyahu’s office called Macron’s remarks at the United Nations a "grotesque absurdity," objecting to his claim about the Palestinian militant group Hamas' activity in the West Bank.

Macron decried the situation in Gaza. He also criticized the escalating Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, saying Israel could not invoke Hamas to justify its actions in the territory. He used terminology in his French-language remarks that could mean Hamas has either never governed or operated in the West Bank.