Israeli Prime Minister tackles French president for suggesting arms embargo on Tel Aviv
French President Emmanuel Macron escorts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 5, 2018. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for suggesting that weapons supplies to Israel should be halted due to its Gaza operations.
Netanyahu responded in a recorded video address, stating that Israel expects support from civilized nations in its fight against Iranian-led aggression.
Macron and other Western leaders are advocating for arms embargoes against Israel, Netanyahu said, but Israel will prevail regardless. He emphasized that Israel is defending itself on multiple fronts against enemies of civilization.
Netanyahu noted that Iran does not impose arms embargoes on its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. However, countries opposing this terror axis are calling for an arms embargo on Israel.
“Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel,” he said.
The Israeli army has significantly damaged Hezbollah’s missile and rocket capabilities and is dismantling their tunnel system near the border. Netanyahu stated that Israel has shifted the balance of the conflict.
“While the threat has not been fully eliminated, we have shifted the balance of the conflict,” he said. “About a month ago, as we neared the end of dismantling Hamas battalions in Gaza, we began fulfilling the promise I made to the residents of northern Israel.”
Since September 23, Israel has intensified airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, causing civilian casualties and displacement. Key Hezbollah leaders, including Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, have been targeted and killed. Israel has also launched a limited ground operation in Lebanon.
These escalations have intensified clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza.
