Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticised French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent call for an arms embargo against Israel, labelling it a “shame”. In a video message released on Saturday, Netanyahu expressed outrage over Macron’s stance and the actions of other Western leaders calling for similar measures.
He further asserted that “all civilised countries” should be standing alongside Israel as it battles against what he described as “forces of barbarism,” led by Iran.
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet President Macron and some other western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo against Israel. Shame on them. Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. The axis of terror stands together, but countries that supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace,” Netanyahu declared.
The Israeli Prime Minister highlighted that while countries such as Iran continue to arm militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, Israel is being targeted with demands for disarmament, a move he perceives as unjust. He framed the conflict as a struggle not just for Israel but for the entire civilised world against radical forces seeking to bring about destruction and chaos.
Netanyahu’s comments come amidst growing international debate over the balance between supporting Israel’s right to self-defence and concerns about escalating violence in the region. However, the Israeli leader remained resolute in his position, expressing frustration that leaders of Western countries, like Macron, are not fully backing Israel in its efforts to combat what he termed as an “axis of terror.”
In his statement, Netanyahu provided an overview of Israel’s ongoing military engagements on multiple fronts. “Today, Israel is defending itself on seven fronts against the enemies of civilisation. We’re fighting in Gaza against Hamas, those savages who murdered, raped, beheaded, and burned our people on October 7,” he said.
He further elaborated on the threats posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon, which, according to Netanyahu, had planned a massacre greater than the attacks of October 7 on Israel’s northern border. He added that Israel was also combating missile and drone attacks from Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, as well as militias in Iraq and Syria.
“We’re fighting against the Houthis in Yemen and the Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria that together have launched hundreds of drones and missile attacks against Israel. We’re fighting against terrorists in Judea and Samaria, who are trying to murder civilians in the heart of our cities. And we’re fighting against Iran, which last week fired over 200 ballistic missiles directly at Israel and which stands behind the seven-front war against Israel,” Netanyahu said.
In a defiant tone, Netanyahu assured the world that Israel would emerge victorious, with or without support from the international community. He criticised countries advocating for an arms embargo as being complicit in allowing terrorism to thrive. Despite the opposition, Netanyahu vowed that Israel would continue its fight until it achieves total victory.
“Well, let me tell you this. Israel will win with or without their support. But their shame will continue long after the war is won. For in defending ourselves against this barbarism, Israel is defending civilisation, 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 the peace and security of the entire world,” Netanyahu concluded.
Earlier on Sunday, the French President issued a video message and emphasised the need of an immediate ceasefire in the region.
After PM Netanyahu’s condemnation of the move, Macron’s office gave clarification on the move and said “France is Israel’s steadfast friend” and “supports Israel’s security and demonstrates it”, reported Times of Israel. However, it still justified the embargo by stating that it was necessary to avoid further escalation and bring peace to the region.