In a heated exchange, French President Emmanuel Macron reminded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel's foundation was rooted in a UN decision, reigniting discussions about the legitimacy of the Israeli state as violence escalates in Gaza and Lebanon.
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His comments come as Israel intensifies its military actions, leading to significant casualties. Since October 7, 2023, over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 98,000 injured in Gaza, while 2350 Lebanese deaths have been confirmed due to Israeli airstrikes, primarily in southern Lebanon.
In response to Macron’s remarks, Netanyahu's office asserted that Israel was not established by a UN decision but through its “War of Independence.” However, this foundation has been met with ongoing resistance from Palestinians, who argue that their rights have been consistently overlooked. In fact, many historians and scholars assert that the establishment of Israel involved the forced displacement of Palestinians from their homes during what they term the Nakba, or "catastrophe."
This event led to the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians, who were compelled to leave their homes and lands amid violent confrontations. Since its inception, this broader discourse is framed by the historical context of the Israeli state, established in 1948 with the backing of the United Nations. Since then, according to B'Tselem, UN reports, an estimated 100,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, with thousands more killed in Lebanon during various military confrontations.
This is while, the Israeli regime also stands out as the only country in the Middle East known to possess nuclear weapons while not adhering to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), raising concerns about regional security (source: Institute for Science and International Security).
Amid this backdrop, according to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, global protests against the Israeli regime have surged, with over 100 demonstrations reported in major cities worldwide in 2023 alone, reflecting widespread dissent against its military actions. As the situation unfolds, the debate over Israel’s legitimacy and governance continues to dominate international discussions, revealing deepening divisions and concerns about human rights and regional stability.
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