In a statement, Macron declared that "it's time to stop sending arms to Israel," this move marking a sudden shift away from the West's usual support-Israel-at-all-costs credo. And Macron wants other countries to follow his lead.
"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.
Macron's announcement came almost a year to the day since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch an Old Testament-style crusade against Israel's enemies not only in Gaza but in Lebanon, Iran and elsewhere.
(Related: Israel's next move appears to be to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, which Biden has said he will not back.)
Netanyahu blasts Macron and other Western leaders: "shame on them"
Members of Macron's own political party delivered a scathing rebuke against him for deciding to cut Israel off from deadly weapons, as did Netanyahu who delivered a video statement in condemnation of Macron's move, which you can watch below:
My message to Macron >> pic.twitter.com/BHyh0Fso19
— Benjamin Netanyahu - ?????? ?????? (@netanyahu) October 5, 2024
United Kingdom Defense Secretary John Healey told reporters when asked if he agrees with Macron's decision that he and his country – Great Britain is France's closest military ally – do not, and still plan to send Israel more weapons.
"No: we work a different system," were Healey's exact words to the media about the UK's apparently unquenchable support for Israel.
The UK did suspend the sale of certain arms components to Israel after determining that there is a real risk that they are being used in violation of international humanitarian law. The UK is stopping short, though, of imposing a full arms blockade like Macron has.
Macron's arms embargo is something that some lawmakers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been calling for ever since it became clear that Israel has no plans of stopping the war until all of its enemies are dead.
Many on X / Twitter expressed criticism towards Netanyahu for his pride and arrogance.
"If you win 'with or without their support," let's see you do it without their support," one said, challenging Netanyahu to walk the walk he so boastfully talks. "This video is redundant then and you can stop begging the U.S. and the UK for weapons. Do it without their support as you said. I want to see you try."
Others took the opposite approach, praising Netanyahu for taking a stand "against terrorism."
According to an Israeli official who spoke to Politico.eu on the condition of anonymity, Netanyahu loves being criticized.
"It actually helps him with his core supporters," the official said. "It underlines how he is Israel's champion. That's why he pushes back so forcefully on Macron or others and always will."
Israel will probably be fine without France's support, seeing as how France is hardly Israel's number-one supporter. That would be the United States, Israel's strongest ally, who sends the most weapons to Israel.
"Feels strange to agree with Macron on something but I'll give credit where credit is due (if they actually follow through)," wrote someone else on X. "End the wars and and the support for genocide!"
"69% of arms are from the USA and 30% of arms are from Germany," wrote another about where Israel gets most of its weapons. "France is doing the right thing, though. They should join South Africa's ICJ case along with Spain and all the other countries."
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