French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an embargo on Israel of Western weapons used in the conflict with Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Days before the anniversary of the barbaric murder of more than 1,200 people by Islamist Hamas terrorists who invaded southern Israel to carry out a major terrorist operation on October 7 last year, President Macron announced on Saturday that France would He said he had stopped supplying weapons. Use against terrorists.
The French leader went on to call for a broader embargo on arms deliveries to Israel, saying in comments: reported by le Figaro: “I think the priority today is to get back to a political solution and stop supplying weapons to fight in Gaza.”
Although Macron has been one of the most hawkish supporters of the war in Ukraine and even floated the idea of sending Western troops into the country to fend off a Russian invasion, he instead played a dovish role during the war in Ukraine. is trying to perform. Less than a month after the October 7 attack, Israel called for a “ceasefire” in the conflict.
The French president recently joined US President Joe Biden and other leaders in calling for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces are targeting Hamas terrorists and the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah leadership.
Mr Macron had previously faced criticism from Jerusalem after appearing to suggest that Israel was deliberately targeting “babies” and “women” in its military operation in Gaza aimed at eliminating Hamas. He later retracted that claim.
Mr Macron's call to halt arms deliveries to Israel follows moves by Britain's recently elected left-wing Labor government to halt dozens of arms contracts with Israel.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced last month that Britain had suspended 30 arms export licenses to Israel. This includes British components used in Israel's fighter jets, helicopters and military drones.
London claimed the decision was prompted by concerns that British weapons were being used to commit human rights abuses in the Gaza Strip.
Governments in European countries, including Britain and France, are under intense pressure domestically from left-wing and Islamic activists over the Middle East conflict, and large-scale protests have taken place in cities across Europe in the wake of the October 7 attacks. is occurring.
protests continuation On Saturday, large demonstrations were held in London and Paris, as well as in Athens, Brussels and Rome, calling for an end to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Macron's comments echo those of Israel. reportedly It is planning retaliatory strikes against Iran after the Islamist regime attacked the Jewish state earlier this week, and on Tuesday fired about 200 missiles at Israel.
