Follow Us on Google News
French President Macron has called for an end to arms exports to Israel which has been carrying out airstrikes on Gaza for the past year and recently initiated military action against Lebanon.
“I think the most important thing today is to return to a political solution and stop arms shipments to Gaza,” Macron said in a speech to France’s Inter Milan on Saturday, confirming that France had stopped arms shipments to Israel.
Macron’s stance differs from that of the United States, which provides $3.4 billion in annual military aid to Israel under a ten-year deal.
As he spoke to Macron, thousands of Palestinian protesters gathered in central Paris to demand an end to the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. Macron expressed concern about ongoing attacks in Gaza, which continue despite international calls for an end to the war.
“I feel that our voices are not being heard. I think that is a mistake, even for the security of Israel,” he said, warning that the conflict was fueling “hatred”.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Macron and other Western leaders for calling for an arms embargo against Israel, saying, “Shame on them.”
