French President Emmanuel Macron’s statement that the world should impose an arms embargo on the Israeli war in Gaza that would cause it to stop the war – caused an uproar not only in Israel, but also in Europe, where his words were harshly criticized, even from within his own party.
Macron said these things in a radio interview, excerpts of which were published on Saturday, two days before the anniversary of October 7. “The priority is that we return to a political solution, meaning that we stop supplying weapons (to Israel) for the war in Gaza,” said the French president. France itself does not supply weapons to Israel.
Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video He harshly criticized the statement, addressing the French and saying that “Israel will win with or without you – (but) your shame will reverberate long after we win.” Macron then spoke with Netanyahu, but did not go back saying that he is committed to the security of the State of Israel. Yesterday, the French Foreign Minister visited Israel and said that “when we call for a ceasefire (as France did regarding Gaza and Lebanon – AA), we cannot at the same time provide offensive weapons to those involved. This is a question of consistency.” The French minister, Jean-Noel Barro, said that France is striving for a diplomatic solution “to ensure the security of the State of Israel”.
“political error”
Macron’s position has been criticized in the last day by French officials, including within his own party. The Speaker of the French Parliament, Yael Baron-Fibe, a senior figure in Macron’s Renaissance party, clarified that France must ensure that “Israel is not disarmed”, and that Israel must “have the maximum capacity to defend itself”. Another member of parliament from the party, Jean-René Cazeneuve, justified the harsh reaction of the Israeli government and Netanyahu. “The Israeli reaction is completely understandable,” he said.
From the right in France there were those who expressed strong support for Israel, and criticism of Macron. Eric Ciotti of the “Republicans” party said in response that the president’s statement is a “political mistake” and that it “weakens Israel at the exact time it is facing and surrounded by hostile Islamic dictatorships.”
Prime Minister Michel Barnier, a former member of the “Republicans” party, also voiced implicit criticism of the words of the president who appointed him last month. He said that “Israel today is in a situation where it has the legitimacy to defend itself”, and that “Israel’s security will never be controversial”. The Israeli Foreign Ministry hopes that Barnier, who has voiced pro-Israel positions in recent months, visited the kibbutzim that were the target of the Hamas terrorist attack and repeatedly reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security, will lead a more sympathetic policy on the part of Paris towards Israel, even though the important decisions are made in the Elysee Palace.
Barnier made the remarks at a memorial gathering for the victims of the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, on the anniversary of the attack, held in Paris on Monday evening. About 4,000 people gathered at the Dome of Paris for a ceremony that included segments
Music, literature and poetry by French artists
According to “Le Monde”, Macron’s words “clouded the atmosphere of remembrance” and cast doubt on the French commitment to Israel’s security. The photos of the 48 French victims of the terrorist attack were projected in the hall, and a call was made to act for the release of the Israeli abductees who are still being held in Gaza, including two with French citizenship. According to the report in “Le Monde”, when Barnier mentioned the commitment of the “President of the Republic” (Macron) to the release of the kidnapped, boos were heard in the audience.
Macron’s statement was also criticized across the Channel. The British Defense Minister, John Healy, was asked directly if Britain would join Macron’s position, which demands to stop supplying Israel with weapons that may be used in Gaza, and said: “No, we work under a different set of laws.”
Although it may refrain from calling for an international embargo, Britain froze defense export approvals for about 30 systems and components that “could endanger human life in Gaza” last month. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, clarified in a statement to Parliament yesterday (Monday) that he will not expand the bans at this stage.
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