France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak in Tirana, Albania, May 16, 2025. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

(JTA) — The leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom and France have condemned Israel’s expanded war in Gaza and vowed to penalize Israel if the war — and its months-long blockade on humanitarian aid — continues.

“We have always supported Israel’s right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate,” the leaders — Canada’s Mark Carney, Britain’s Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron — said in a joint statement.

“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions,” they added. “If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.”

The statement, which also called on Hamas to release the Israeli hostages “they have so cruelly held,” did not offer specifics about what actions the countries might take. The Netherlands is urging European countries to reconsider their relationships with Israel, and Macron and Starmer are both reportedly considering unilaterally recognizing an independent Palestinian state.

The statement represents a sharp escalation by three allies of Israel at a time when the Israeli government is facing steep pressure to end its 19-month war against Hamas, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The leaders noted that members of the Israeli government have said they hope that Gazans will seek to leave, adding, “Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.”

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would allow “a basic quantity of food” into Gaza for the first time in months, in an announcement that the leaders called “wholly inadequate.” Five trucks — far short of what is understood to be needed — reportedly entered the territory, though it was unclear whether any aid reached civilians there.

Netanyahu lashed out against the world leaders’ statement after it was issued on Monday, saying that the three countries had handed “a huge prize” to Hamas and vowing to continue the war until Hamas is defeated.

“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities,” he said in a statement.

The three leaders also said they could impose further targeted sanctions if Israel does not halt building settlements in the West Bank. Each of the countries has already sanctioned some settlers and settler groups in an attempt to stem violence against Palestinians there.

This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.

We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.

This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.

With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.

The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.

Don't just read the Forward - invest in it. Make a matched gift today.

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$120 $180 $360 OTHER AMOUNT