Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for advocating an arms embargo against Israel amid its military operations targeting Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu characterized Macron’s remarks as a “disgrace,” asserting that Israel is engaged in a fundamental struggle not just for its existence but for the defense of civilization itself against radicals attempting to impose a “dark age of fanaticism.” In a video response, Netanyahu condemned Macron’s decision to cut off arms supplies to Israel while urging other Western nations to halt military aid, emphasizing that Israel has the resolve to persevere in its fight against terrorism regardless of the support or lack thereof from allies such as France.
Netanyahu’s comments came particularly in light of a recent missile attack by Iranian forces, underscoring the Israeli leader’s message that nations committed to combating terrorism should unify in their support for Israel. He highlighted the hypocrisy of calling for an arms embargo against Israel when countries that back terrorist organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis receive no such restrictions. “Shame on them,” Netanyahu exclaimed, lamenting that, in times of crisis, countries claiming to oppose terror are, instead, pressuring Israel—a stark contrast to the unwavering support these nations offer to terrorist factions.
The Israeli Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Israel’s victory in the conflict, declaring, “Israel will win with or without their support.” Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s fight would continue for both its security and the maintenance of peace in the broader world, framing the struggle as not merely a national conflict but a critical defense against a much larger ideological war. He insisted that while Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties, the responsibility for those tragedies lies squarely with Hamas, which uses civilians as shields in the conflict.
This public spat is not an isolated incident, as there have been previous tensions between France and Israel regarding statements made by Macron. In a previous exchange, Macron suggested Israel was deliberately targeting civilians, including women and children, in its military actions against Hamas. Netanyahu has condemned such insinuations, insisting that Israel takes extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties and actively encourages Palestinians to evacuate conflict zones. Following the backlash, Macron reportedly reached out to clarify his remarks and express support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
In addition to Macron’s stance, other European leaders have echoed similar sentiments by suspending arms deliveries to Israel. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the halt of 30 arms licensing contracts due to concerns that British-made weapons were being employed in ways that could violate human rights in Gaza. While these decisions reflect a broader trend among some European leaders distancing themselves from Israel, the reactions also demonstrate a divided opinion within Europe regarding the ongoing conflict.
Amid these mixed responses, there are still voices within Europe advocating for strong support of Israel. Geert Wilders, the leading figure of the Dutch government, recently articulated the importance of standing by Israel as a model for national identity and a bulwark against globalist ideologies. Wilders portrayed Israel not only as the frontline in the fight against radical Islam but also as a symbol of resilience for nations protecting their sovereignty. He encouraged European patriots to align themselves with Israel’s cause, revealing a significant undercurrent of pro-Israel sentiment that contrasts sharply with the stance taken by leaders like Macron.
