France reaffirms support for Israel after Netanyahu criticism

In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a weapons embargo on Israel, Paris on Sunday reaffirmed its support for Israel.

In a statement, the presidential palace expressed regret over Netanyahu's "exaggerated" words, assuring that France would not allow Iran or its proxies to attack Israel.

Macron believes there is an urgent need to prevent an escalation in the region, which includes an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, his office said.

In this context, the president has called for an end to arms exports to Israel intended for use in the Gaza Strip.

The comments came after Netanyahu described Macron's call on Saturday for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel as a "disgrace."

"Israel will win with or without you," Netanyahu said, according to his office.

In a video message on X, Netanyahu said that calls for a weapons embargo from Macron and other Western leaders came as Israel defends itself on "seven fronts against the enemies of civilization."

"Shame on them," he added.

On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and allied groups infiltrated Israel. They committed brutal massacres, which resulted in over 1,200 people being killed and around 250 people being kidnapped.

Since the major attack by Hamas, Israel has been conducting significant military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to the latest figures from the Gaza health authority, which cannot be independently verified, more than 41,800 people have been killed.