Netanyahu Accuses France Of Succumbing To ‘Invasion Of Extremist Islam’ After Riots

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused France of succumbing to an “invasion of extremist Islam”, linking the unrest that followed weekend protests over economic conditions to what he described as the failure of French leaders to confront extremism.

Netanyahu’s remarks echoed rhetoric used by far-right politicians and commentators in Western countries, where claims about immigration and the spread of Islamic law have fuelled accusations of Islamophobia.

In an interview with French-language news channel i24News, Netanyahu criticised the French leadership for failing to anticipate the unrest. The protests drew people from diverse sections of French society and turned violent in several major cities, including Paris.

“They did not prepare in time, they simply gave up. They succumbed to the invasion of extremist Islam,” Netanyahu said, according to the French translation provided by the channel.

Asked what advice he would offer France, the Israeli prime minister urged the country to take a tougher approach towards extremism.

“Fight back, do not pursue a policy of appeasement — fight against the extremists,” he said, without elaborating on specific measures.

Netanyahu Links France Unrest To Hamas Attack

Netanyahu also referred to a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. He claimed he had warned Macron that failing to eliminate the group in the region would have consequences for European cities.

“If we do not eliminate them here, you will have them in Paris — and that is exactly what is happening,” Netanyahu said, without presenting evidence to establish a connection between the weekend unrest and Hamas.

France was among several European countries that recognised Palestinian statehood last year, a move that angered Israel and added to tensions between the two countries.

Trump Blames Immigration For French Protests

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the unrest, attributing the protests to immigration and urging European governments, including Macron’s administration, to tighten border controls.

“What’s happening in France has to do with immigration, not schools, not anything,” Trump told reporters in Washington on Monday. “It’s immigration, and I told President Emmanuel Macron, close up your borders.”

Trump made tackling illegal immigration a central promise of his 2024 presidential campaign. His immigration rhetoric has also drawn criticism over claims opponents say are misleading and reinforce racial fears.

Netanyahu’s Earlier Remarks On Britain Drew Condemnation

Netanyahu’s latest comments came after he described Britain as an “Islamic republic” in August, prompting criticism from the UK government.

London called the remarks “completely unacceptable”, highlighting tensions over Netanyahu’s characterisation of European countries and their immigration and domestic policies.

His latest statements have again brought attention to the political debate over immigration, religious extremism and public unrest in Europe, as leaders offer competing explanations for the causes of protests and the appropriate response.