France’s President Emmanuel Macron urged an immediate halt to arms deliveries to Israel and called for the prioritization of a “political solution to the crisis” in an interview with France Inter channel, on Saturday.
Macron’s statement follows an escalation of tensions and military actions in the Middle East.
He regretted that the ceasefire negotiations with Israel have not yet yielded any results.
“I think we are not being heard. . . It is a mistake, including for the future of Israel’s security,” he said.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, strongly criticized Macron’s statement in a video shared on social media on the same day.
“President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo on Israel. Shame on them,” Netanyahu stated.
“Israel will win with or without their support, but their regret will continue long after the war is won,” he added.
Qatar supported Macron’s call for a ban on arm ban on Israel, asserting that Israel’s military actions pose threats to regional and international security.
“The French call is aligned with the resolutions of the Security Council, the General Assembly of the United Nations, and the International Court of Justice, which called for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday.