Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for his call to stop the delivery of weapons to Israel for use in Gaza.
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 reiterated 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 replied: “They were ashamed,” 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”.
In an interview with a French broadcaster, which was recorded on Tuesday and broadcast on Saturday, Macron said that “France is not bringing any” weapons to Israel.
He added: “I think we’re 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 at the 19th Conference of the Francophonie at the Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday, Macron said that while the US and France called for an end to the fighting in Lebanon, he added: “I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken another path, he has taken this task, in particular, to work on 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 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, said the Ministry of Health in this area, which is run by Hamas.
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