Tun M criticises Israel over Macron’s Palestine recognition remarks

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday criticised Israel’s condemnation of French President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to recognise a Palestinian state, accusing Israel of distorting human values in its treatment of Palestinians.

In a statement, Dr Mahathir said Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had described Macron’s move as a “prize” for terrorism, but argued that Israel’s own actions in Gaza and Lebanon far exceeded such accusations.

“Israel has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, reduced Gaza’s cities to rubble, blocked humanitarian aid, bombed hospitals and schools, and killed civilians including babies, children and women,” Dr Mahathir said.

He also accused Israel of bombing Beirut and killing Lebanese people, adding that decades of arrests and detentions of Palestinians did not appear to be viewed as oppressive by Israeli authorities.

“Clearly to the Israelis, right is wrong and wrong is right. Human values have been turned upside down,” Dr Mahathir said.

The 98-year-old former leader, known for his outspoken criticism of Israel and the West, said the international community remained powerless in the face of Israeli actions, citing U.S. support for Israel as a key reason.

“And the civilised world can do nothing. For behind all these is America the Great,” he added.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 attack last year, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. The war has since devastated the enclave, with Palestinian health officials reporting tens of thousands killed, many of them civilians.

France is among several European countries that have signalled readiness to formally recognise Palestinian statehood, arguing it could help advance a two-state solution to the conflict.

Israel opposes such recognition, saying it rewards Hamas and undermines prospects for peace.

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