The French magazine Le Monde Diplomatique revealed many aspects of collusion by several European countries with Israel in its war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, by providing direct military, political, and media support.

In an editorial titled “The Perpetrators and Their Partners,” the magazine stated in its October issue that European leaders cannot pretend they were unaware of the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, accompanied by destruction, displacement, and starvation, resulting in more than 65,000 deaths, 170,000 injuries, and the destruction of 90% of the buildings in the Strip.

Le Monde Diplomatique downplayed the significance of some European countries, including France and Britain, recognizing the State of Palestine, saying European officials did nothing in the face of the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza, despite their international legal obligation to prevent genocide there.

The magazine noted that France’s recognition of Palestine came very late and did not include any threat to impose sanctions on Israel or define the borders of the Palestinian state to be recognized.

On the ground, the magazine observed that French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ordered provincial governors to systematically take administrative measures against any council members who raise the Palestinian flag on their municipal buildings, just days after President Macron announced recognition of the State of Palestine.

The magazine criticized President Macron, stating that he twice—in February and April 2025—allowed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cross French airspace despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Instead of working to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the magazine pointed out that the governments of France, Italy, Greece, and Belgium allowed ships carrying arms shipments bound for Israel to dock in their ports.

The French magazine noted that the European Union has taken no action in response to Israel’s war in Gaza, while it is currently considering adopting the 19th package of sanctions against Russia—just two months after the 18th package—to punish it for invading Ukraine.

The magazine acknowledges that only the United States can force Israel to immediately stop its massacres in Gaza by halting arms shipments that constitute the bulk of Israel’s arsenal, but it believes Europeans could have acted within their means to confront Israel but did not.

It added that the EU, as Israel’s largest trading partner, second-largest arms supplier, and one of the favorite tourist destinations for Israelis, could have suspended visa exemptions granted to Israelis, imposed individual sanctions on most of their officials, and banned military equipment.

European leaders could also have suspended the EU-Israel partnership and free trade agreement, activating Article 2, which allows suspension if either party violates human rights and democracy principles.

European leaders did not collude with Israel by inaction but provided continuous material support, as in the “Horizon Europe” program, where Belgium continues to grant scholarships to Israeli universities and companies cooperating with the military.

According to Le Monde Diplomatique, since October 7, 2023, the EU has approved more than 130 such projects in cooperation with the Israeli Aerospace Industries—one of the country’s largest arms manufacturers—the Weizmann Institute of Science overseeing Israel’s nuclear weapons program, and Ben-Gurion University, which coordinates with the Israeli Air Force flight school.

Politically, Le Monde Diplomatique says Israel has enjoyed almost unwavering European political support since the start of its war on Gaza, with European officials quickly aligning with the Israeli narrative and describing the October 7, 2023 attack as an “Islamic terrorist and anti-Semitic act.”

European leaders have consistently affirmed “Israel’s right to self-defense,” even when Iran attacked unilaterally and without warning in June 2025.

The French magazine noted that European officials maintained friendly relations with their Israeli counterparts, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog receiving warm hospitality over the past two years at the Élysée Palace and in Hungary, Italy, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and the United Kingdom.

Conversely, Le Monde Diplomatique said European countries treat activists defending Palestinians who condemn the Gaza genocide and demand respect for international law very differently.

Authorities in France, Germany, and Italy have banned many peaceful demonstrations, conferences, and marches supporting Gaza, summoned activists and elected officials accused of justifying the October 7 attacks, detained them, and prosecuted them for “tolerating terrorism.”

Palestine defenders face defamation in Europe; since October 7, 2023, elected officials and activists of the “Rebellious France” movement have been accused almost daily of anti-Semitism in right-wing French media such as the Bolloré group channels, L’Obs magazine, Le Figaro newspaper, and others.