‘A disgrace’: Netanyahu slams Macron call to stop Israel of arms for use in Gaza
French leader says continuing conflict bad for Israeli security, spreads ‘hatred’; PM retorts: ‘Their shame will continue long after the war is won’; Élysée calls words ‘excessive’
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged a halt to deliveries of arms to Israel that can be used in its war against Hamas in Gaza, drawing a furious reaction from Jerusalem.
“I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron told broadcaster France Inter.
“France is not delivering any,” he added during the interview recorded early this week.
Macron reiterated his concern over the conflict in Gaza that is continuing despite repeated calls for a ceasefire.
“I think we are not being heard,” he said. “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 avoiding an escalation in Lebanon was a “priority,” asserting that “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza.”
Responding to Macron on Saturday evening, Netanyahu called his comments “a disgrace.”
“Israel is defending itself on seven fronts against the enemies of civilization,” he said in a video statement, pointing to Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Iran. “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,” he continued. “Shame on them.”
Netanyahu asked rhetorically whether Iran is imposing an arms embargo on its proxies. “Of course not,” he said. “This axis of terror stands together.”
“But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel,” Netanyahu continued. “What a disgrace!”
Netanyahu promised that Israel will win “with or without their support. But their shame will continue long after the war is won.”
My message to Macron >> pic.twitter.com/BHyh0Fso19
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 5, 2024
Responding to Netanyahu’s angry statement, the Élysée stressed that Macron “supports Israel’s security and demonstrates it.”
Macron’s office noted that France had mobilized its military after this week’s Iranian missile attack, as it did following another attack in April.
The statement said that Macron “personally told the Iranian president of France’s commitment to Israel’s security. He reiterated that France would not allow Iran or any of its proxies to attack Israel and would always find us facing it if it resorted to force.”
At the same time, Macron believes that “the urgent need is to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region,” including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“It is in this context that the President calls for an end to arms exports intended for use in Gaza,” Macron’s office continued. “We must return to diplomatic solutions.”
“France is Israel’s steadfast friend,” the Élysée concluded. “Mr. Netanyahu’s words are excessive and unrelated to the friendship between France and Israel.”
On Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will be in Israel to mark the October 7 attacks, part of a regional tour his office says is meant to push for deescalation.
“He will reaffirm France’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, including French nationals Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi,” said the French embassy.
The United States provides about $3 billion in weapons to Israel each year.
In May, the State Department said it did not have enough evidence to block shipments of weapons but that it was “reasonable to assess” that Israel has in some cases used arms in ways inconsistent with standards of humanitarian law.
In September, Britain said it was suspending some arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law.
Israel has said it seeks to minimize civilian fatalities and stresses that Hamas uses Gaza’s civilians as human shields, fighting from civilian areas including homes, hospitals, schools, and mosques.
It rejects accusations of violations of international law, and argues it has taken unprecedented steps to protect civilians while waging its campaign to eliminate Hamas.
On Monday, Israel marks the first anniversary of the devastating October 7 Hamas massacres that sparked the war, when Hamas-led terrorists slaughtered some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages to Gaza while committing numerous atrocities.
The war has now engulfed neighboring Lebanon. Hezbollah began launching attacks on Israel on October 8, creating a perilous regional crisis. After nearly a year of warnings to the terror group, Israel in recent weeks launched a major campaign against it that this week saw ground forces enter the country’s south to clear Hezbollah infrastructure.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 41,000 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting there so far, though the toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Israel says it has killed some 17,000 combatants in battle and another 1,000 terrorists inside Israel on October 7. Israel has said it seeks to minimize civilian fatalities and stresses that Hamas uses Gaza’s civilians as human shields, fighting from civilian areas including homes, hospitals, schools, and mosques.
