Amid the ongoing Gaza war, President Macron calls for a suspension of arms shipments to Israel, sparking debate on the international response to the conflict. Explore the latest developments.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged a suspension of arms shipments to Israel intended for use in Gaza, drawing quick criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macron emphasized on France Inter radio that the top priority is achieving a political resolution and halting the supply of weapons for combat in Gaza.
At a summit in Paris on Saturday, the French president expressed his ongoing concern about the conflict in Gaza persisting despite calls for a ceasefire. He also criticized Israel’s decision to deploy ground troops into Lebanon.
Netanyahu responded by criticizing Macron and other Western leaders who he claimed were advocating for an arms embargo on Israel, saying “Shame on them.”
In a video issued by his office, Netanyahu stated that “Israel will succeed with or without their support,” and described the call for an arms embargo as “a disgrace.”
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In an interview recorded on Tuesday and broadcasted by a French network on Saturday, Macron stated that “France is not supplying any” weapons to Israel.
He remarked, “I feel like we’re not being heard.”
“I believe it’s a mistake, even regarding Israel’s security,” he remarked, noting that the conflict was fostering “hatred.”
Macron emphasized that preventing an escalation in Lebanon is a “priority” and stated, “Lebanon must not turn into another Gaza.”
In response, Netanyahu’s office stated that countries not standing with Israel were effectively supporting Iran along with its allies and proxies.
Netanyahu stated that as Israel confronts the barbaric forces led by Iran, all civilized nations should steadfastly support Israel.
However, President Macron and other Western leaders are currently advocating for arms embargoes against Israel. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Macron’s office later stated that France remains a “steadfast friend of Israel,” and noted that Netanyahu’s response was “excessive and did not reflect the friendship between France and Israel.”
During a speech in Paris on Saturday, Macron stated that both the US and France had advocated for a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, he expressed regret over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to pursue ground operations on Lebanese soil instead.
Nonetheless, Macron reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense and announced that he would meet with the relatives of Franco-Israelis who are being held hostage in Gaza on Monday.
Monday will mark the first anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, during which approximately 1,200 people lost their lives and another 251 were taken hostage. Since then, over 41,000 individuals have been killed in Gaza according to the territory’s health ministry run by Hamas.
