Time for a ceasefire has now come: Macron to Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone on Sunday, a day after the latter called for an arms embargo on Israel, sparking outrage in Jerusalem.

 

The two leaders “acknowledge[d] their differences of opinion, as well as their desire to be well understood by each other,” said a French readout of the call, but indicated that the Macron would not back off his opposition to arms sales to Israel, while its troops continue to fight in Gaza and Lebanon.

 

“I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron told broadcaster France Inter in an interview aired on Saturday, adding that France is not sending any arms to Israel.

 

In response, Netanyahu labeled Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel “a disgrace.”

 

On Sunday, the two spoke “in complete frankness and with respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” said Paris.

 

“It is expected that Israel’s friends stand behind it, and don’t place limitations on it that only strengthen the Iranian terror axis,” Netanyahu told Macron, according to the Israeli readout.

 

The premier said the IDF operations against Hezbollah, which Macron opposes, “create an opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon toward stability, security, and peace in the entire region.”

 

Macron, according to his office, reiterated France’s commitment to Israel’s security and noted that France participated in the defense of Israel against Iranian attacks.

 

“On the eve of the first anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist offensive against Israel, he expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people, particularly the victims, the hostages and their loved ones,” according to Macron’s office. “Like everyone, Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. Attacks against Israel and its citizens must cease, whether they are carried out by Iran or its proxies in the region.”

 

Macron also said that “the time for a ceasefire has now come.”

 

“The arms deliveries, the prolongation of the war in Gaza and its extension to Lebanon cannot produce the security expected by the Israelis and by everyone in the region,” Macron told Netanyahu. “We must immediately make the decisive effort that will allow us to develop the political solutions necessary for the security of Israel and everyone in the Middle East.”