Netanyahu Condemns Macron and Western Leaders for Calling for Arms Embargo Against Israel

October 6, 2024 by No Comments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders on Saturday for calling for an arms embargo on Israel following its airstrikes in Gaza. He stated that while Israel combats forces of barbarism led by Iran, countries should stand with Israel, not call for arms embargoes.

“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 said in a statement. 

Netanyahu criticized the call for an embargo, saying, “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 called the stance of these leaders a “disgrace,” stating that Israel would win “with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won.”

He said, “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 emphasized that Israel is defending itself on multiple fronts, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, terrorists in Judea and Samaria and Iran. 

On Saturday, Macron stated that France would halt arms supplies to Israel, although missile defense equipment would continue. 

“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 in an interview. 

Also on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the dismantling of a Hezbollah underground command complex in Lebanon. 

“The troops entered a terror tunnel about 250 meters long, located about 300 meters from the border and not crossing into Israeli territory,” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a press conference.

Hagari explained that the complex included a kitchenette, rooms for extended underground stays, weapons, and command rooms. 

“These compounds were intended to be used by Hezbollah terrorists in an attack on the communities of the Galilee,” he said. “This tunnel did not cross into our territory, and yesterday we destroyed it.”

The U.S. continues to provide Israel with arms, although President Biden has criticized Israel’s approach to the war in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have perished. 

 “I think what he’s doing is a mistake,” Biden said in August, while continuing to . “I don’t agree with his approach.” 

This week in a surprise appearance at a White House press briefing, Biden, responding to a reporter, stated he was unsure if Netanyahu was delaying a ceasefire to influence the November election. 

“Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know – but I’m not counting on that,” Biden said. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none, and I think he should remember that.”