Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron’s office emphasized that “France is Israel’s steadfast friend” following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s criticism of Macron’s call for an arms embargo, which Netanyahu had labeled a “disgrace,” the Times of Israel reported on Sunday. As per the Times of Israel, the Elysee stressed that Macron “supports Israel’s security and demonstrates it.”
According to The Times of Israel, Macron’s office stated that France mobilized its military this week in response to Iran’s missile attack, just as it had done in April. 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 Times of Israel reported.
At the same time, Macron emphasized the “the urgent need is to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region,” including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the Times of Israel quoted the Elysee as saying. “It is in this context that the President calls for an end to arms exports intended for use in Gaza,” Macron’s office continues. “We must return to diplomatic solutions. France is Israel’s steadfast friend, Netanyahu’s words are excessive and unrelated to the friendship between France and Israel,” the office said according to the Times of Israel.
Sharing a video message on Sunday on X(previously Twitter), Macron stated,”An immediate ceasefire is essential in Gaza as in Lebanon. We must avoid the escalation of tensions, protect civilian populations, free the hostages and find political solutions necessary for the security of Israel and all.”
Un cessez-le-feu immédiat est indispensable à Gaza comme au Liban.
Nous devons éviter l’escalade des tensions, protéger les populations civiles, libérer les otages et trouver des solutions politiques nécessaires à la sécurité d’Israël et de tous. pic.twitter.com/oS3BwDMNEm
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 5, 2024
In a video message on Saturday, Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the situation, calling it a disgrace that “the axis of terror stands together, but countries that supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel.”
My message to Macron >> pic.twitter.com/BHyh0Fso19
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 5, 2024
He said that “all civilised countries” should be standing firmly by Israel’s side as it “fights the forces of barbarism” led by Iran, as he dubbed Macron’s call for an arms embargo against Israel a “shame.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu said,”As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet President Macron and some other western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo against Israel. Shame on them. Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. The axis of terror stands together, but countries that supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace.”
(With ANI Inputs)
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