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In brief
On Tuesday, 20 October, Netanyahu told the French-language channel i24News that France had given in to the invasion of extremist Islam, and he offered no evidence for his claims.
The government acknowledged shortcomings after nearly 1,000 security personnel were injured and 3,000 shops were looted during the unrest that began on Saturday, 17 October.
Night curfews were imposed on Monday, 19 October, and extended on Tuesday, 20 October, in Paris and other cities. Authorities reported about 2,400 arrests.
US President Donald Trump has said France is being overrun by migrants, jihadists and communists, echoing Netanyahu's criticism.
Protests are planned for Saturday, 24 October, and Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive police deployment for them.
- 17 OctDemonstrations over living costs and education turn violent in several French cities, with looting and buildings set on fire.
- 19 OctNight curfews are imposed in several large cities.
- 20 OctNetanyahu gives an interview to i24News, and curfews are extended in Paris and other cities.
- 24 OctFurther protests are planned for Saturday, with a massive police deployment announced.
Netanyahu's remarks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said France had given in to the invasion of extremist Islam, in an interview with the French-language channel i24News on Tuesday, 20 October. Speaking through an interpreter's French translation, he argued that French politicians had not prepared in time and had simply given up. Asked what advice he would give France, he told the French to fight rather than appease, and to take on the extremists, though he gave no specifics. He also said that after the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 he had warned President Emmanuel Macron that if the extremists were not fought there, France would have them in Paris, and that this was exactly what was happening. He did not present evidence for that claim.
Riots and curfews
Violence broke out on the fringes of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, 17 October, against high living costs and problems in the education system. Thousands of shops were looted, town halls and police stations were attacked, and several buildings were set on fire. On Monday, 19 October, night curfews were imposed in several large cities, and on Tuesday they were extended in Paris and other cities. Authorities reported about 2,400 arrests and said about 1,000 police officers and gendarmes were injured.
Government acknowledges failings
The government acknowledged shortcomings after the unrest, citing nearly 1,000 injured security personnel and 3,000 looted shops. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez spoke of a loss of control in several large cities. Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive police deployment for the protests planned for Saturday, 24 October.
Trump and the wider debate
US President Donald Trump has made similar remarks, saying France is being overrun by migrants, jihadists and communists. The remarks echo claims by right-wing politicians and commentators in the West that some European areas are governed by Islamic law because of immigrant populations. The reports describe these claims as unfounded, and they have drawn accusations of Islamophobia. Relations between France and Israel have deteriorated since Paris officially recognised the State of Palestine in September 2025, when Netanyahu accused Macron of stoking antisemitic fire in France.
Israel's vote ahead
Israel votes on 27 October to elect the 120 members of the 26th Knesset, its first electoral event since the Hamas attacks of 2023. Netanyahu's comments on France came one week before that ballot.