Emmanuel Macron Archives - Page 2 of 2

France, Italy, and Spain Condemn Israeli Attacks on UN Peacekeepers

CrossFireArabia
October 12, 2024

France, Italy, and Spain have strongly condemned recent Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, labeling them “unjustifiable” and in violation of international law. This follows two consecutive explosions near the Lebanese-Palestinian border, which injured several members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The attacks have sparked concern over the increasing risks to UN personnel as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate.

In a joint statement, the three European nations expressed outrage, demanding an immediate halt to the violence. “These attacks constitute a serious violation of Israel’s obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and international humanitarian law,” the statement read. The nations also called for increased protection for peacekeepers and urged both sides to de-escalate the situation according to the Quds News Network.

France, which contributes around 700 troops to UNIFIL, has been particularly vocal in its criticism. French President Emmanuel Macron summoned Israel’s envoy and demanded an explanation, emphasizing that the targeting of UN peacekeepers is “absolutely unacceptable.” Macron further proposed halting arms exports to Israel as a means to curb the violence, suggesting that stopping the flow of weapons could help prevent further escalation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez echoed Macron’s call, urging the international community to cease selling arms to Israel. Following a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Sanchez stated, “It is urgent that we stop contributing to the violence by supplying weapons to Israel.” Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken European leaders against Israel’s recent military offensives, which he described as an “invasion” of Lebanon.

Both Macron and Sanchez’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who defended Israel’s military actions as necessary for self-defense. As the conflict intensifies, international leaders are increasingly pressing for diplomatic solutions to prevent further casualties.

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Macron Calls on States to Stop Weapons Supply to Israel

CrossFireArabia
October 6, 2024

French President Emmanuel Macron urged countries to stop providing weapons to Israel for its ongoing genocide war in the Gaza Strip and expressed concern that Lebanon should not be allowed to “become a new Gaza.”

“The priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to carry out fighting in Gaza,” Macron said in an interview with France Inter, a public radio station aired Saturday.

Macron added, “France is not delivering any” weapons to Israel.

He stated: “I think we are not being heard.”

BREAKING🚨 Emmanuel Macron urges countries halt to arms deliveries to Israel for use in Gaza..

“I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza”…🇫🇷🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/U4aadgPZ7I
— Pelham (@Resist_05) October 5, 2024

“I think it is a mistake, including for the security of Israel,” he said, adding that the war was leading to “hatred”.

Macron’s call comes amid mounting public scrutiny of the high death toll in Gaza and Israel’s widening aggression in Lebanon.

Macron said Lebanon should not be allowed to “become a new Gaza,” referring to Israel’s ground and air offensive in the country. “The Lebanese people cannot, in turn, be sacrificed,” he added.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, while France did not export any major arms to Israel in recent years, it has supplied components for arms.

At a summit for French-speaking leaders in Paris, Saturday, according to the Washington Post, Macron said, “If we call for a cease-fire, consistency is to not provide weapons of war. And I think that those who provide them cannot every day call for a cease-fire alongside us and continue to supply them.”

Last month, Britain suspended some arms exports to Israel over concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law, joining several other nations that have taken similar actions in the wake of the war in Gaza.

Speaking in Paris, Saturday, Macron said that while both the US and France had called for a ceasefire in Lebanon, he added: “I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu has made another choice, has taken this responsibility, in particular, for ground operations on Lebanese soil.”

Netanyahu, in a video statement Saturday after Macron’s remarks, criticized the French president and other leaders who “call for an arms embargo on Israel.”

“Israel will win with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won,” he said.

In response to Netanyahu, Macron’s office said France remains a “steadfast friend of Israel,” describing Netanyahu’s reaction as “excessive and detached from the friendship between France and Israel,” according to Le Monde as reported in the Quds News Network.

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‘Jordan Will Not be a Battlefield For Anyone…’ – Ayman Safadi

CrossFireArabia
October 2, 2024

Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Wednesday, called for immediate and effective international action to halt the dangerous escalation pushing the region toward an all-out war.

He emphasized the necessity of achieving an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and ending Israel’s escalatory measures in the occupied West Bank.

In a telephone conversation with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Safadi stressed no one has an interest in driving the region into a full-scale war that would threaten regional and international security and peace.

He underscored that halting this escalation must be a regional and international priority.

Safadi stated that de-escalation begins with stopping Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, warning of the catastrophic consequences of expanding the Israeli war to Lebanon and launching a ground offensive, which would impact the security of the entire region.

He affirmed during the call that Jordan will not be a battlefield for anyone and will confront with all its capabilities any threat to its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.

He noted that Jordan has clearly communicated this position to both Iran and Israel.

Safadi highlighted the importance of supporting the initiative of Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, which aligns with the proposal put forward by U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The initiative confirms Lebanon’s commitment to deploying its army in the south, implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and initiating the process of electing a Lebanese president once a ceasefire is achieved.

He reaffirmed Jordan’s absolute support for Lebanon, its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens, stressing the need to launch an international campaign to provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon, which is facing the challenge of meeting the needs of more than one million displaced persons forced from their homes.

Safadi confirmed that Jordan, under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has begun sending aid to Lebanon and is ready to cooperate with all countries in delivering their assistance.

He warned of the consequences of the continued Israeli aggression on Gaza and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe it is causing, stressing the need to pressure Israel to comply with international law, allow sufficient and immediate aid into Gaza, and enable UN and humanitarian organizations to distribute it to all those in need.

Safadi and Lammy discussed regional and international efforts aimed at ending the escalation and affirmed continued cooperation in efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and protect the region from sliding into a comprehensive war.

They also followed up on the discussions that His Majesty King Abdullah II and British Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer had during a phone call Tuesday, according to the Jordan news agency, Petra.

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Macron Tells Netanyahu Israel is Pushing For a Regional War

CrossFireArabia
September 20, 2024

According to Israeli media reports, following Israel’s bombardment of Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assert his view that Israel is pushing for a regional war according to Quds News Network.

Netanyahu responded by suggesting that instead of pressuring Israel, it is time for France to increase pressure on Hezbollah.