Macron speaks during a press conference at the 19th Francophonie Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris
Published October 6, 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a halt on arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza, prompting swift criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macron told France Inter radio that “the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza”.
At a summit in Paris on Saturday, the French president reiterated his concern over the conflict in Gaza continuing despite ceasefire calls, and he also criticised Israel’s decision to send ground troops into Lebanon.
Netanyahu pushed back: “Shame on them,” referring to Macron and other Western leaders who have called for what he described as an arms embargo on Israel.
In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said “Israel will win with or without their support”, adding that calling for an arms embargo was “a disgrace”.
Macron, in an interview with the French broadcaster which was recorded on Tuesday and aired on Saturday, said “France is not delivering any” weapons to Israel.
He added: “I think we are not being heard.”
“I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel,” he said, adding that the conflict was leading to “hatred”.
Macron also said that avoiding an escalation in Lebanon was a “priority” and that “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza”.
Netanyahu’s office responded by saying that any country that did not stand with Israel was supporting Iran and its allies and proxies.
Netanyahu said: “As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side.
“Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them.”
Macron’s office later said that France is a “steadfast friend of Israel”, adding that Netanyahu’s reaction was “excessive and detached from the friendship between France and Israel”.
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SOURCE: www.bbc.com
RELATED: Netanyahu calls Macron, other Western leaders who support arms embargo against Israel a ‘disgrace’
Also on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces said it had raided and dismantled a Hezbollah underground command complex in Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, slammed French President Macron and other Western leaders on Saturday who he said had called for an arms embargo on Israel over its airstrikes against Hamas. (Reuters)
Published October 6, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders on Saturday who he said had called for an arms embargo on Israel over its airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza.
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side, yet President Macron and other western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them, “Netanyahu said in a statement.
He continued, “Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together, but countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel.”
Netanyahu called their stance a “disgrace,” adding that Israel would win “with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won.”
He said, “in defending ourselves against this barbarism, Israel is defending civilization against those who seek to impose a dark age of fanaticism on all of us. Rest assured, Israel will fight until the battle is won – for our sake and for the sake of peace and security in the world.”
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SOURCE: www.foxnews.com
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