“On the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas terrorist offensive against Israel, he expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people,” said the French presidency. Emmanuel Macron also expressed “his conviction that the time for a ceasefire has now come”.
The two leaders had this telephone conversation on the eve of the commemorations of the October 7 attacks and the day after a lively exchange after Emmanuel Macron spoke out in favor of stopping deliveries to Israel of weapons that could be used in the war in Gaza.
They discussed “the situation in the Middle East, with complete frankness and respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” said the Élysée. “The two leaders accept their differences of opinion as well as their desire to each be well understood by the other,” he added.
“The President of the Republic reiterated to the Israeli Prime Minister that France’s commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering and reminded him of the mobilization of French military resources to its defense during the attacks carried out by Iran during of recent months,” underlined the French presidency.
Diplomatic crisis begins on Saturday
Emmanuel Macron had aroused the anger of Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday by affirming that the “priority” was now “a political solution” and “that we stop delivering weapons to carry out the fighting in Gaza” while specifying that France would not did not provide any herself.
“Shame” on the leaders who call for embargoes on arms deliveries to Israel, replied the head of the Israeli government.
During their telephone conversation, Emmanuel Macron declared that Israel “has the right to defend itself against terrorism”. “Attacks against Israel and its citizens must stop, whether they are carried out by Iran or its auxiliaries in the region,” said the French president, according to the Élysée.
“Weapons 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,” the presidency also insisted.
