Following sharp criticism from the UK, France, and Canada over Israel’s expanded military actions in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired back, accusing these Western leaders of rewarding Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s resolve to achieve total victory, calling the conflict “a war of civilisation over barbarism.”
Following strong opposition from the United Kingdom, France, and Canada to Israel’s recent military expansion in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday delivered a forceful rebuttal. In a sharply worded message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu accused the leaders of London, Ottawa, and Paris of effectively rewarding Hamas for its “genocidal attack” on October 7, 2023.
“A War of Civilisation Over Barbarism”
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s unwavering commitment to securing “total victory” against Hamas, echoing the stance of US President Donald Trump on resolving the conflict. He stated, “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.”
He described the conflict as, “A war of civilisation over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”
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, Ottowa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more…
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— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 19, 2025
Netanyahu Recalls the Origins of the Conflict
Netanyahu recounted the onset of hostilities, emphasizing the scale of Hamas’s assault, “The war began on October 7 when Palestinian terrorists stormed our borders, murdered 1,200 innocent people and abducted over 250 more innocents to the dungeons of Gaza.”
The Prime Minister outlined clear terms for ending the war, calling for alignment with President Trump’s vision, “Israel accepts President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same. The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarised.”
He stressed that no nation could be expected to accept anything less, “No nation can be expected to accept anything less, and Israel certainly won’t.”
Netanyahu’s statement follows a joint declaration issued earlier Monday by the UK, France, and Canada. The European leaders condemned Israel’s expanded military campaign in Gaza, known as the “Gideon’s Chariots” offensive, which began on Saturday.
The statement criticized the “intolerable” human suffering in Gaza, highlighting Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid and continued settlement expansions in the West Bank. They warned that further measures, including sanctions, could follow if Israel does not halt its offensive.
Supporting efforts led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the Western leaders called for an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution as the path forward.
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