Asked on Israeli television Channel 12, Emmanuel Macron said on September 18 that Israel was "completely destroying" its "image and credibility" in global public opinion, due to the number of civilian casualties it has caused in Gaza. He described Israel's operation in Gaza as "counter-productive," and said it was "a failure."

Macron also defended his decision to recognize the State of Palestine, insisting that it would be a way to separate Palestinian victims from Hamas. Macron is set to formally recognize Palestinian statehood this month in front of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.