French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a halt to the delivery of weapons to Israel for use in Gaza, drawing immediate criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macron told France Inter radio that “what is important is to return to a political solution, to stop bringing weapons to fight in Gaza”.
At a conference in Paris on Saturday, the French president stressed his concern about the continuing conflict in Gaza despite calls for a ceasefire, and criticized Israel’s decision to send ground troops to Lebanon.
Netanyahu hit back and said: “Shame on you,” referring to Macron and other Western leaders who called what he described as an arms embargo on Israel.
In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said “Israel will win with or without support”, adding that calling for an arms embargo was “disgraceful”.
Macron, in an interview with a French broadcaster that was recorded on Tuesday and broadcast on Saturday, said that “France is not bringing any” weapons to Israel.
He added: “I think we are not being heard.”
“I think it’s a mistake, including Israel’s security,” he said, adding that the conflict leads to “hate”.
Macron also said that avoiding the expansion of Lebanon is “a priority” and that “Lebanon will not be the new Gaza”.
Netanyahu’s office responded that any country that does not stand with Israel supports Iran and its allies and proxies.
Netanyahu said: “As Israel is fighting the barbarian forces led by Iran, all civilized countries must stand firmly on Israel’s side.”
“However, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
Macron’s office later said France was “a staunch friend of Israel”, adding that Netanyahu’s reaction was “extreme and far from the friendship between France and Israel”.
Speaking in Paris on Saturday, Macron said that although the United States and France had asked for an end to the fighting in Lebanon, he added: “I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu took a different approach, he took this responsibility, especially, to work on the ground. the soil of Lebanon.”
However, Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and said he would meet with relatives of Franco-Israelis held in Gaza on Monday.
Monday will mark the first anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others captured. More than 41,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, said the Ministry of Health in the area, which is run by Hamas.