News Brief
'Shame On Them': Netanyahu Slams French President Macron, Other Western Leaders Over Calls For Arms Embargo Against Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for halting arms deliveries to Israel for its operations in Gaza, describing the suggestion as a "disgrace."
Netanyahu, in a video statement on Saturday (5 October), denounced Macron’s stance, asserting that Israel is engaged in a multi-front conflict against armed groups supported by Iran.
"As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side," Netanyahu said.
"Yet President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them," he added, India Today reported.
Netanyahu highlighted that Israel is fighting on several fronts, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and terrorists in the West Bank.
Netanyahu sought to highlight the hypocrisy in the calls for a pause on arms shipments to Israel, asking whether Iran had restricted weapons to its allies.
"Of course not," the Israeli leader said, adding that "this axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace!"
Earlier, Macron had proposed in an interview that suspending arms shipments to Israel could help pave the way for a political resolution and prevent further escalation in the Gaza conflict.
"I think we are not being heard," Macron said.
"It is a mistake, including for the security of Israel," he added, expressing concerns that the war was breeding "hatred".
Macron also stressed the importance of preventing escalation in Lebanon, even as Israel continued to target Hezbollah in Beirut.
"Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza," the French leader stated.
After Netanyahu’s strong response, Macron’s office released a statement reiterating that France remains a “steadfast friend of Israel,” but called Netanyahu’s remarks "excessive and detached from the friendship" between the two nations.
