Netanyahu Condemns Macron’s Call to Stop Weapon Supplies to Israel, Calls It “Shameful”

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged an end to arms deliveries to Israel for its operations in Gaza, drawing a strong rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an interview with France Inter, recorded Tuesday, Macron stressed the need for a political solution and called for a halt to weapons shipments. “France is not delivering any,” Macron said, expressing concern over the ongoing conflict and noting that calls for a ceasefire have been largely ignored.

Netanyahu was quick to condemn Macron’s remarks, stating that Israel is battling “forces of barbarism led by Iran” and criticising Western leaders’ calls for arms embargoes. Netanyahu called such actions shameful and underlined Israel’s war efforts on multiple fronts against Iran-backed groups.

Macron’s office later reaffirmed France’s strong ties with Israel, calling Netanyahu’s reaction “excessive.” Meanwhile, Qatar and Jordan welcomed Macron’s statement, with both nations supporting a ban on arms exports to Israel.

In his speech to a conference of French-speaking nations, Macron reiterated the importance of preventing Lebanon from becoming a second Gaza and criticised Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon, despite affirming Israel’s right to self-defence.

As the conflict continues, Macron plans to meet the families of Franco-Israeli hostages on Monday, the first anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack, which ignited the war. The violence has since claimed thousands of civilian lives on both sides, according to official and UN figures.