Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a conversation on Sunday evening regarding Macron's recent call for an arms embargo against Israel. Netanyahu emphasized the importance of support from allies in combating the 'Iranian terror axis' rather than facing restrictions.
Netanyahu's office stated that he highlighted how Israel's offensives against Iran-backed militant groups would have a positive impact on the entire region. Macron, on the other hand, reiterated his support for Israel's security and expressed solidarity with the Israeli people, especially those affected by recent attacks.
The French presidential office confirmed that Macron stressed the significance of reaching a ceasefire agreement. Both leaders agreed to continue discussions during French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot's visit to Israel and the West Bank on Monday.
Macron had previously called for a halt in the sale of arms used in the conflict in Gaza, clarifying that France was not involved in supplying such weapons. In response, Netanyahu criticized Macron and other countries advocating for arms embargoes against Israel, questioning whether Iran was imposing similar restrictions on its proxies.
Human rights groups have criticized countries like the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom for not suspending arms sales to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties.
