Tensions flare between France and Israel… Netanyahu lunch a harsh criticism on Macron
Exaggerated is how the Elysee Palace described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements attacking French President Emmanuel Macron, following his call to stop supplying Israel with weapons used in the genocide in the Gaza Strip.
On Saturday evening, Netanyahu attacked the French president after he called for a halt to supplying Israel with weapons used in the genocide in the Gaza Strip, saying in a televised statement in English, “Israel will win with or without you”.
Netanyahu continued his speech to the French President, “A shame that will continue to reverberate long after Israel’s victory”.
According to French media, Macron responded to Netanyahu’s statements in a statement issued by the Elysee Palace on Sunday, as the statement stressed that “France is an unwavering friend of Israel”.
The French presidency statement added, “Netanyahu’s words are exaggerated, and this has nothing to do with the friendship between France and Israel”.
The statement indicated that Macron himself had previously told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that France is committed to Israel’s security.
The statement quoted Macron as saying that his country “won’t allow Iran or any of its agents to attack Israel, and that if it uses force, France will always be against it”.
In press statements earlier on Saturday, Macron called for a halt to the delivery of weapons used by Israel in Gaza,” claiming that France didn’t participate in supplying Israel with those weapons.
Hours after Macron’s statement about stopping arms supplies to Israel, the French presidency issued a statement contradicting the president’s statement.
The Elysee statement said, “France will continue to provide Israel with the necessary parts to defend itself”.
The statement explained that France will continue to send the parts used for the air defense system, which Israel calls the “Iron Dome” in particular.
France insists it exports only defensive military equipment to Israel, although it has supplied Israel with components of lethal weapons.
