Tel Aviv, October 5, 2024 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday strongly lashed out French President Emmanuel Macron and other Western leaders for advocating an arms embargo on Israel in response to its airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza.
In a stern statement, Netanyahu accused these leaders of failing to support Israel’s fight against terrorism, calling their stance “shameful.”
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side,” Netanyahu said. “Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them.”
Netanyahu questioned the inconsistency in the West’s stance, pointing out that Iran continues to arm Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and other militant groups without facing similar restrictions.
“Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas, and its other proxies? Of course not,” he stated.
He described the alliance between these groups as an “axis of terror,” while condemning Western leaders for opposing Israel’s defense efforts.
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Netanyahu, in another statement in English, with a sharp message to Macron: "Israel will win with or without you – your shame will echo long after we prevail." pic.twitter.com/5kRZJCikn1
Netanyahu called the calls for an embargo a “disgrace” and declared that Israel would ultimately prevail. “We will win with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won,” he said.
The prime minister also emphasized Israel’s broader role in global security, stating that in defending itself, Israel is also defending civilization from extremist forces.
“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 further outlined the multiple threats Israel is facing, noting that the country is currently engaged in defensive actions on seven different fronts.
These include Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, terrorists in Judea and Samaria, and Iran itself.
Meanwhile, Macron announced on Saturday that France would halt arms deliveries to Israel, though it would continue to provide missile defense systems.
Macron stated, “I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” according to Euro News.
In a parallel military development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported having raided and dismantled a Hezbollah underground command complex in Lebanon.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari revealed that Israeli troops entered a terror tunnel, 250 meters long and located 300 meters from the Israeli border. He stated that the tunnel, though not crossing into Israeli territory, was equipped with facilities for long-term stays and was designed for launching attacks on Israel.
“These compounds were intended to be used by Hezbollah terrorists in an attack on the communities of the Galilee,” Hagari said. “This tunnel did not cross into our territory, and yesterday we destroyed it.”
Despite the arms embargo by some Western nations, the U.S. continues to supply Israel with weapons.
However, President Joe Biden has expressed disapproval of Israel’s tactics in Gaza, where tens of thousands of civilians have died. “I think what he’s doing is a mistake,” Biden said in August, while calling for a cease-fire in the conflict.
In an unexpected appearance at a White House press briefing this week, Biden responded to a reporter’s question about whether Netanyahu was delaying a cease-fire to influence Israel’s upcoming November elections. “Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know—but I’m not counting on that,” Biden said.
He also reaffirmed his support for Israel, stating, “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none, and I think he should remember that.”
