During a press conference at the end of a European summit in Brussels on Thursday, October 17, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced what he perceived as a lack of professionalism among ministers, journalists, and commentators. He accused them of distorting his comments on Israel, which led to a heated controversy with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron expressed frustration at the reporting of his statements during a cabinet meeting in Paris and emphasized the importance of respecting rules and responsibilities in disseminating information truthfully and responsibly.
Macron highlighted the weekly cabinet meetings that are reported to the press by the government spokesperson and through official statements. He stressed the need for all participants in these meetings to adhere to ethical standards and personal discipline to prevent the dissemination of false, truncated, or out-of-context information. Macron condemned the selective reporting of his comments and emphasized the importance of handling such reports with caution and accuracy, without specifying the exact nature of his statements during the cabinet meeting.
Participants in the cabinet meeting claimed that Macron had implied that Netanyahu should not forget that Israel was created by a decision of the UN and indirectly advised him not to disregard UN decisions. Macron expressed amazement at the widespread commentary and reactions to his alleged remarks, including from foreign and French political leaders. He criticized the ministers for repeating distorted statements, journalists for amplifying them, and commentators for failing to verify the accuracy of such reports, viewing it as a sign of the deterioration of public discourse and a lack of professionalism.
The tensions between Macron and Netanyahu escalated following the controversy over Macron’s comments on Israel’s creation by the UN. Macron pointed out the disregard for the truth and proper context in the reporting and interpretation of his statements, emphasizing the need for responsible journalism and commentary in public debates. The incident highlighted the importance of ethical conduct and respect for accurate reporting in political discussions and media coverage, urging stakeholders to adhere to professional standards and uphold the integrity of information shared with the public.
Overall, Macron’s statements at the press conference reflected his frustration with the misrepresentation of his views on Israel and the subsequent fallout with Netanyahu. He called for a more rigorous approach to reporting and commentary on sensitive issues, urging all parties involved to exercise caution and diligence in their communication. The incident served as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining transparency and accuracy in political discourse, underscoring the need for responsible journalism and ethical conduct in shaping public understanding and opinions on complex geopolitical issues like the situation in the Middle East.
