In March 2012 , Ashton was criticised by Israeli politicians for comparing the shooting of Jewish children in Toulouse with the situation in Gaza . Ashton told Palestinian youths at a UNRWA event , " When we think of what happened in Toulouse today , when we remember what happened in Norway a year ago , when we know what is happening in Syria , when we see what is happening in Gaza and Sderot and in different parts of the world – we remember young people and children who lose their lives . " After she was quoted in the press as not having mentioned the Israeli city of Sderot , Israeli politicians denounced her for equating the murder of three children and a rabbi in the shooting attack with the situation in Gaza . Her spokesman stated that her remark had been " grossly distorted " and that she had also referenced Israeli victims in Sderot , but this fact had been omitted from the original transcript
shooting of Jewish children in Toulouse
Toulouse and Montauban shootings
Catherine Ashton