فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Paris, October 8, 2024 – In a telephone conversation on Sunday between French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron reaffirmed France’s “unwavering commitment” to Israel’s security, in an attempt to dispel tension between the two countries following the French President’s statements calling for a halt to some arms deliveries to Israel.
The Élysée Palace reported that Macron emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, while Netanyahu asked his French counterpart for “support and not restrictions,” according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Macron stated that “the time for a ceasefire has come,” while also affirming Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism. He added that “attacks against Israel and its citizens must stop, whether from Iran or its proxies in the region.”
For his part, Netanyahu requested support from France, saying: “We expect Israel’s friends to support it and not impose restrictions that would only strengthen the Iranian evil axis.” Netanyahu presented his country’s offensive against Hezbollah as “an opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon for the benefit of stability, security, and peace in the entire region.”
Macron had angered Netanyahu on Saturday when he stated that the “priority” now is a political solution, and that “arms deliveries to continue fighting in Gaza must stop,” while emphasizing that France itself does not provide weapons to Israel.
It’s worth noting that Israel is engaged in war on several fronts, against Hamas in Gaza and against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where it has been conducting ground operations since last Monday. The Hebrew state also threatens to retaliate against a massive Iranian missile attack that occurred last Tuesday.
This phone call came on the eve of the first anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, where Macron expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people.
The French President reiterated that “arms deliveries, the prolongation of the war in Gaza, and its extension to Lebanon cannot produce the security expected by Israelis and everyone in the region,” according to the Élysée Palace.
The two leaders discussed “the situation in the Middle East, with complete frankness and respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” the Élysée added, noting that they “acknowledge their differences of view as well as their desire to be well understood by each other.”
