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The French President confirmed Emmanuel Macron During a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahusaid on Sunday that “France’s commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering,” but he also stressed the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza And Lebanon, while Netanyahu informed him that placing restrictions on Israel would serve Iran and its allies.
The French presidency said, “On the eve of the first anniversary For the maximum delugeMacron expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people. The French President also expressed his “conviction that the time for a ceasefire has come.”
The Elysee stated that they discussed “the situation in the Middle East with all frankness and within the framework of respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” adding that “the two leaders accept their differences in opinion as well as their desire to understand each other well.”
He added, “The President of the Republic assured the Israeli Prime Minister that France's commitment to Israel's security is unwavering, and reminded him of the mobilization of French military resources to defend it during the attacks carried out by Iran in recent months.”
During their phone conversation, Emmanuel Macron stressed that Israel “has the right to defend itself against terrorism,” adding, according to what was reported by the Elysee, that “attacks against Israel and its citizens must stop, whether carried out by Iran or its agents in the region.”
But he also stressed that “handing over weapons and prolonging the war in Gaza and its extension to Lebanon cannot achieve the security that the Israelis and everyone in the region want.”
The Israeli novel
A statement issued by Netanyahu's office stated that the Israeli Prime Minister told Macron, “Just as Iran supports the various parties of the Iranian terrorism axis, it is also expected that Israel will receive support from its friends and not impose restrictions that would only lead to strengthening the Iranian axis of evil.”
The statement issued by Netanyahu's office added, “The Prime Minister stressed that Israel's actions in confronting Hezbollah create an opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon in order to enhance stability, security, and peace in the entire region.” He added that Macron and Netanyahu agreed to continue dialogue on this issue during the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to Israel tomorrow, Monday.
Barrow is on a 4-day tour of the Middle East. Paris looks forward to playing a role in reviving diplomatic efforts as the scope of the war expands from Gaza to Lebanon.
Today's phone conversation between Macron and Netanyahu comes on the eve of the anniversary of the attacks of October 7, 2023, and the day after Macron's statements in which he called for an end to handing over weapons to Israel that could be used in Gaza.
Emmanuel Macron angered Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Saturday, by asserting that “the priority today is to return to a political solution, and to stop delivering weapons to fight the battles in Gaza,” noting that France “does not deliver” weapons. He added, “Our priority now is to avoid escalation. The Lebanese people must not be sacrificed. Lebanon cannot become another Gaza.” Netanyahu responded by saying that it was “shameful” to call for a ban on arms shipments to his country.
France is not a major arms supplier to Israel. The annual arms export report issued by the French Ministry of Defense stated that the value of Paris’s exports to Israel amounted to 30 million euros ($33 million) last year.
