Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron over his call to stop supplying arms to Israel for use in Gaza.
Macron told France Inter radio that “the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop supplying weapons to fight in Gaza”.
At a summit in Paris on Saturday, the French President reiterated his concerns about the conflict in Gaza continuing despite calls for a ceasefire, while also criticizing Israel’s decision send ground troops into Lebanon.
Netanyahu replied: “Shame on them,” referring to Macron and other Western leaders who have called for what he described as an arms embargo on Israel.
In a video released by his office, Netanyahu said “Israel will win with or without their support,” adding that calling for an arms embargo is “a infamous”.
In an interview with French television recorded Tuesday and broadcast Saturday, Macron said “France did not deliver any” weapons to Israel.
He added: “I think we are not being listened to.”
“I think it was a mistake, even for Israel’s security,” he said, adding that the conflict was leading to “hatred.”
Macron also said that avoiding escalation in Lebanon was a “priority” and that “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza”.
Netanyahu’s office responded by saying that any country that does not side with Israel is supporting Iran and its allies and proxies.
“As Israel fights the barbaric forces led by Iran, all civilized countries should stand firmly beside Israel,” Netanyahu said.
“However, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Shame on them.”
Macron’s office later said that France is “a loyal friend of Israel”, adding that Netanyahu’s response was “excessive and far removed from the friendship between France and Israel”.
Speaking at the 19th Francophone Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday, Mr Macron said that while both the US and France had called for a ceasefire in Lebanon, he added: “I regret that the Prime Minister Netanyahu made another choice, made another choice.” especially accepting this responsibility for ground operations on Lebanese soil.”
However, Mr. Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and said he would meet relatives of French-Israelis held hostage in Gaza on Monday.
Monday will mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which left about 1,200 people dead and another 251 held hostage. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
