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‘Only strengthens Iran’ – In phone call with Macron, Netanyahu rips proposed arms embargo

Prime Minister Netanyahu presses Macron to drop his push to impose an arms embargo on Israel, saying such ‘restrictions’ would only benefit Iran and its proxies.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone Sunday with French President Emmanuel Macron, a day after Macron announced his plans to impose sweeping restrictions on weapons sales to Israel.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, during the call, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel “expects its friends to stand behind it,” adding that imposing sanctions now against Israel will only strengthen the “Iranian axis of evil.”

Netanyahu also argued that Israel’s recent attacks against Hezbollah have created an opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon in favor of stability, security and peace in the entire region.

The two leaders agreed to advance dialogue on the issue during the visit of the French Foreign Minister, who is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday.

Macron, for his part, vowed to uphold his nation’s “unwavering commitment” to Israeli security, according to a statement by his office, but fell short of agreeing to walk back his call for an arms embargo.

“On the eve of the first anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist offensive against Israel” on October 7, 2023, Macron “expressed the solidarity of the French people with the Israeli people.”

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“The President of the Republic reiterated to the Israeli Prime Minister that France’s commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering and reminded him of the mobilisation of French military resources to defend it during the attacks carried out by Iran in recent months.”

During their conversation, the French president reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza, expressing “his conviction that the time for a ceasefire has now come.”

The phone call was conducted “in complete frankness and with respect for the friendship between France and Israel,” Macron’s office said.