Macron declines to walk back arms embargo push in call with Netanyahu

France says its president Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “acknowledge[d] their differences of opinion, as well as their desire to be well understood by each other,” in a phone call earlier, but indicated that the French leader will not back off his opposition to arms sales to Jerusalem.

The two spoke “in complete frankness and with respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” Paris says in a statement on the call, which comes after Netanyahu labeled Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel “a disgrace.”

Macron, according to the French readout, reiterates France’s commitment to Israel’s security and noted that France participated in the defense of Israel against Iranian attacks.

“On the eve of the first anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist offensive against Israel, he expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people, particularly the victims, the hostages and their loved ones,” according to Macron’s office. “Like everyone, Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. Attacks against Israel and its citizens must cease, whether they are carried out by Iran or its proxies in the region.”

Macron also says that “the time for a ceasefire has now come.”

“The arms deliveries, the prolongation of the war in Gaza and its extension to Lebanon cannot produce the security expected by the Israelis and by everyone in the region,” Macron told Netanyahu. “We must immediately make the decisive effort that will allow us to develop the political solutions necessary for the security of Israel and everyone in the Middle East.”