Netanyahu says Hamas is “on the streets of Paris” and predicts France’s unrest could drive a political shift

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas is now “on the streets of Paris” and argued that the unrest in France could contribute to a change in the country’s political direction.

“I think the French people see what’s happening in the streets of France and probably will, as it looks like it could foster a change in the political makeup of France,” Netanyahu said.

Asked whether relations with Israel would improve if a right-wing government came to power in France, Netanyahu replied: “I certainly do, because they understand that they’re under threat. It’s the common enemy that creates common interests.”

Netanyahu broadened his criticism to Europe, calling it “an exhausted continent” with “no will to fight.” He accused European governments of yielding to Islamist constituencies and what he described as an alliance between Islamists and the “woke left.”

He also rejected the term “settler violence,” calling it “a blood libel.” His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including recent assaults on an American photojournalist and European diplomats that were condemned by Israeli and U.S. officials.

Netanyahu said Israel was also facing an information battle in the United States and Europe. “They’re trying to poison young American minds, young European minds against us,” he said, adding that Israel would need to do “a lot of AI work” because, according to him, much of the campaign was being conducted through bots.

Netanyahu also returned to allegations of U.S. involvement in past Israeli elections. He said Bill Clinton called him after his first election victory in 1996 and told him: “Congratulations, Bibi. You beat us. We tried everything to bring you down, and you beat us.”

Netanyahu has recounted a similar conversation before, saying the Clinton administration had sought to help Shimon Peres defeat him in 1996. He said other U.S. presidents did not acknowledge involvement directly but sent campaign personnel to Israel in efforts to defeat him.

Netanyahu concluded by emphasizing Israel’s military value to Washington, recalling what he said he told U.S. President Donald Trump: “You have one fighting ally in the world, only one: that’s Israel.”