Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for calling for an end to arms deliveries to Israel for use in the Gaza Strip.
“The priority is to return to a political solution and stop supplying weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron told France Inter radio.
At a summit in Paris on Saturday, the French president reiterated his concern that the Gaza conflict continues despite calls for a ceasefire, and also criticized Israel’s decision to send ground troops to Lebanon. .
“Shame on them,” Netanyahu responded, referring to Macron and other Western leaders who have called for a purported arms embargo on Israel.
“Israel will win with or without aid,” Netanyahu said in a video released by the Prime Minister’s Office, adding that calls for an arms embargo were “shameful.”
In an interview with Radio France that was recorded on Tuesday and aired on Saturday, Macron said France “does not provide any weapons” to Israel.
He added: “I don’t think our voices are being heard.”
“I think this is a mistake, including for Israel’s security,” he said, adding that the conflict was leading to “hatred.”
President Macron also said that avoiding escalation in Lebanon was a “priority” and that “Lebanon cannot become the new Gaza.”
In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said countries that do not cooperate with Israel are supporting Iran and its allies and proxies.
“All civilized nations must stand firmly by Israel’s side as it fights the barbaric forces led by Iran,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.
“Yet President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo against Israel. They should be ashamed.”
Macron’s office later said France was “a steadfast friend of Israel,” adding that Netanyahu’s reaction was “excessive and departs from the cordial relationship between France and Israel.”
At the 19th Francophonie summit held at the Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday, President Macron said that while both the United States and France are calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon, “Prime Minister Netanyahu has made a different choice. I regret that,” he added. It assumed this responsibility, particularly with respect to ground operations on the Lebanese mainland. ”
But President Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and said he would meet with relatives of Franco-Israeli hostages in Gaza on Monday.
Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage. More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the region’s Hamas-run health ministry.
