'What a disgrace': Netanyahu slams Macron after French president calls for halting arms sales to Israel

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed French President Emmanuel Macron after he said on Saturday that countries should halt deliveries of arms to Israel that can be used against Hamas in Gaza. Macron’s proclamation led to a major diplomatic brawl between Israel and France, leaving Jerusalem furious.

Ahead of the first anniversary of the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas, the French president insisted that halting arms to Israel is needed to reach a “political solution” between the warring parties. “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 concerns over the Gaza crisis and called for an immediate ceasefire in the region. “I think we are not being heard,” he said. “I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel,” the French president averred, adding that the conflict was leading to “hatred.” The president also maintained that avoiding escalation in Lebanon should be a “priority,” emphasising that Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza.

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Netanyahu responds 

The Israeli Prime Minister came out with a video statement to respond to Macron’s comments over the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. In a statement shared on Saturday evening, Netanyahu called Macron’s 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 furthered. “Shame on them”.

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My message to Macron >> pic.twitter.com/BHyh0Fso19

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 5, 2024

While reacting to the need to halt sending arms to Israel, Netanyahu rhetorically asked whether Iran is imposing such 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!”

The Israeli premier went on to state that the Jewish nation will win “with or without their support.” “But their shame will continue long after the war is won,” he added.

How France reacted to Netanyahu’s remarks 

While responding to the angry speech delivered by Netanyahu, Élysée stressed that Macron “supports Israel’s security and demonstrates it.” The French President’s office said that France had mobilised its military after this week’s Iranian missile attack. “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,” the office said in a statement.

However, Élysée insisted that 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.”

The French leader’s office concluded the statement by maintaining that “France is Israel’s steadfast friend”. “Netanyahu’s words are excessive and unrelated to the friendship between France and Israel.” Amid the diplomatic row, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday to mark the October 7 attacks. Part of a regional tour his office says is meant to push for de-escalation.

“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 in Israel. It is important to note France is not the only country which paused the supply of arms to Israel.

In September this year, the United Kingdom said that 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.

With inputs from agencies.