Israel and France have intensified following a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent call to halt arms deliveries to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Macron’s statement, made during an interview with France Inter radio and reiterated at a summit in Paris on Saturday, has reignited debate over the international response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
In an interview broadcast on Saturday, Macron expressed his concern over the escalating violence in Gaza and urged for a halt to arms supplies to the region. “The priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” he told France Inter. He emphasised the need for diplomatic efforts over military actions, framing the continuation of arms shipments as counterproductive to achieving long-term peace.
While Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to Israel’s security, he stressed that the current path, dominated by military intervention, was unsustainable. “I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel,” Macron said, adding that the conflict is fostering “hatred” and potentially inflaming regional tensions further. Macron also highlighted the risk of escalating conflict in Lebanon, urging that the situation there should not mirror the war in Gaza: “Lebanon cannot become a new Gaza.”
Netanyahu’s response to Macron’s comments was swift and forceful. In a video released by his office, the Israeli Prime Minister sharply criticised Macron and other Western leaders who have echoed similar sentiments, accusing them of betraying Israel at a critical moment in its defence against regional threats, particularly from Iran and its allies.
“Shame on them,” Netanyahu said, referring to Macron and other leaders who have called for what he described as an arms embargo on Israel. He categorised such demands as disgraceful, asserting that Israel’s right to defend itself was non-negotiable. “Israel will win with or without their support,” he declared defiantly, underscoring his resolve to continue military operations despite the lack of backing from some of Israel’s traditional allies.
In the video, Netanyahu framed the conflict as part of a larger existential struggle against Iran and its proxy forces. He characterised any calls to curtail Israel’s military capabilities as aiding and abetting Iran’s regional ambitions. “As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side,” he stated.
President Macron’s statements reflect a growing concern in France and across Europe about the trajectory of the conflict and its broader regional implications. Despite his critique of Israel’s military actions, Macron has been careful to maintain that France remains a steadfast ally of Israel. Following Netanyahu’s comments, the Élysée Palace responded, stressing that France remains committed to its friendship with Israel.
A spokesperson for Macron’s office described Netanyahu’s response as “excessive and detached from the friendship between France and Israel,” seeking to downplay any notion of a rift between the two nations. France, according to Macron, supports Israel’s right to defend itself but is also pushing for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations, a stance that aligns with the broader European Union position advocating for de-escalation.
Macron’s call to halt arms deliveries to Israel is emblematic of the growing divide between Western leaders who seek to curb violence through diplomacy and those who, like Netanyahu, believe that military strength remains the only viable path to secure their nations against external threats. In his interview, Macron made it clear that France was not providing weapons to Israel and reiterated his belief that halting arms deliveries was in Israel’s long-term security interest.
“I think we are not being heard,” Macron said, reflecting his frustration over the lack of international traction for a ceasefire and peace talks. “I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu has made another choice, has taken this responsibility, in particular, for ground operations on Lebanese soil.”
The conflict in Gaza has begun to spill over into neighbouring Lebanon, where Israeli forces have launched ground operations aimed at neutralising Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that has long posed a threat to Israel from the north. Macron has voiced strong opposition to these actions, calling them a dangerous escalation that risks turning Lebanon into a second front of war.
“Avoiding an escalation in Lebanon is a priority,” Macron stated, warning that the fragile state could easily be destabilised by a prolonged military campaign. Lebanon has already been grappling with severe economic and political crises, and Macron fears that renewed conflict with Israel could plunge the country into deeper chaos.
Despite Macron’s warnings, Netanyahu appears determined to press ahead with military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon, seeing them as critical to Israel’s national security. Netanyahu’s government views Hezbollah as a key component of Iran’s regional strategy, and officials in Jerusalem have indicated that Israel will take whatever steps are necessary to neutralise the group’s military capabilities.
The diplomatic spat between Israel and France comes at a time when international opinion on the Gaza conflict remains deeply divided. Many Western countries, including the United States, continue to offer strong support for Israel’s right to self-defence. However, growing civilian casualties in Gaza, coupled with concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, have led to increasing calls for a ceasefire.
On Saturday, Macron reiterated France’s commitment to a ceasefire, particularly in Lebanon, and expressed regret that Israel had chosen a different path. Yet, he balanced this criticism with a reaffirmation of Israel’s right to self-defence, walking a fine line between advocating for peace and acknowledging the legitimate security concerns that Israel faces.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his belief that Israel’s military campaign is necessary and justified, regardless of external pressure. In his latest address, Netanyahu suggested that countries not supporting Israel were effectively aligning themselves with Iran and its proxies. “Any country that did not stand with Israel was supporting Iran and its allies,” his office said in a statement.
This framing has resonated with many in Israel, where public opinion overwhelmingly supports the government’s military response to the attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah. Many Israelis view the conflict not just as a fight against terrorist organisations but as part of a broader struggle for national survival in a hostile region.
As the conflict enters its second year, the human cost continues to mount. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 40,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign. The overwhelming majority of the casualties are civilians, raising serious questions about the proportionality of Israel’s military actions.
Monday will mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 others taken hostage. The attack marked the beginning of the latest round of violence, which has since spiralled into one of the deadliest conflicts in the region’s recent history.
Both Israel and Hamas have faced international criticism for their actions. While Israel has been accused of using excessive force, Hamas has been condemned for deliberately targeting civilians and using human shields in densely populated urban areas, exacerbating the death toll.
The future of the Gaza conflict remains uncertain, as both sides show little sign of backing down. While international pressure for a ceasefire is growing, particularly in Europe, Israel’s leadership appears resolute in continuing its military campaign until Hamas and other militant groups are neutralised.
For President Macron, the path forward lies in diplomacy and political negotiations. His call to halt arms deliveries to Israel is part of a broader effort to de-escalate the conflict and prevent further regional destabilisation. However, with Netanyahu determined to maintain Israel’s military strategy, it remains unclear whether diplomatic efforts can gain any meaningful traction.
