On October 6th, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
In a call that reflected France’s dedication to Israel’s security, Macron reassured Netanyahu that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism and insisted that attacks on Israel and its citizens should come to an end. However, he emphasized, “The time for a ceasefire has come.”
Macron stated his position that increasing weapon supplies, expanding military operations in Gaza, and escalating tensions in Lebanon would not lead to safety for the Israeli people or the region as a whole. He underscored the necessity for decisive actions aimed at achieving a political solution to ensure the safety of both Israel and the broader Middle East.
The French government also indicated that Macron and Netanyahu agreed to maintain close communication. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is set to meet with Israeli officials on October 7th and is expected to report back to Macron in the following days.
The day before, on October 5th, Macron had called for a halt to arms supplies for Israel’s operations in Gaza and stressed the importance of preventing Lebanon from becoming the next Gaza. Netanyahu, however, strongly rejected Macron’s statements, while several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and Jordan, showed support for the French president’s views.
Furthermore, according to the Jerusalem Post, during their call, Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, asserting that strikes against Hezbollah would help restore security and stability in the region. He warned that an arms embargo on Israel would ultimately benefit its adversaries, such as Iran.
