Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, slammed French President Macron and other Western leaders on Saturday who he said had called for an arms embargo on Israel over its airstrikes against Hamas.  (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders on Saturday, October 5, 2024, calling their stance on an arms embargo against Israel a “disgrace.” Netanyahu’s comments came after Macron and several Western officials advocated for halting arms sales to Israel in response to its military actions against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu, in a fiery statement, defended Israel’s right to protect itself against what he described as “barbarism” led by Iran. He accused Macron and others of failing to stand with Israel in its fight against terrorism. “As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side, yet President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them,” Netanyahu declared.
He continued by highlighting the hypocrisy he sees in the situation. “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.”
Netanyahu’s criticism didn’t stop there. He vowed that Israel would prevail with or without support from the Western nations backing the embargo. “Israel will win, with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won,” he said.
This escalation in tensions comes at a time when Israel is fighting on multiple fronts. Netanyahu outlined the various threats Israel is facing, including attacks from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, as well as ongoing tensions with Iran. He emphasized that Israel’s struggle is not only for its own survival but for the protection of civilization against forces of extremism.
“In defending ourselves against this barbarism, Israel is defending civilization against those who seek to impose a dark age of fanaticism on all of us. Rest assured, Israel will fight until the battle is won—for our sake and for the sake of peace and security in the world,” Netanyahu stated.
On the same day, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced they had successfully raided and dismantled an underground Hezbollah command complex in Lebanon. The complex, according to Israeli officials, was designed to facilitate terrorist attacks against Israeli communities. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, detailed that the tunnel was about 250 meters long and did not cross into Israeli territory. The tunnel was reportedly equipped with rooms, a kitchenette, and storage for weapons, allowing Hezbollah militants to remain underground for extended periods.
Macron, meanwhile, has been vocal in his call for a political resolution to the ongoing conflict. In an interview on Saturday, he stated that France would no longer provide arms to Israel, although it would continue to supply missile defense systems. “I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” Macron said.
The U.S. has taken a more complicated stance. While the Biden administration continues to provide arms to Israel, President Biden has also expressed disapproval of Israel’s approach to the conflict in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed. Biden, during a press conference earlier this year, said, “I think what he’s doing is a mistake,” referring to Netanyahu’s handling of the war. However, the U.S. president reaffirmed his administration’s long-standing support for Israel.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains divided. Netanyahu’s strong rhetoric and defiance suggest that Israel will continue its military operations regardless of external pressure. Whether the calls for an arms embargo from France and other Western nations will have a lasting impact on Israel’s military strategy remains to be seen.
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