Netanyahu Clashes with Macron Over Israel's Founding
Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed displeasure with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding his remarks on the establishment of Israel. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has responded strongly to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent comments regarding the origins of Israel, following a Tuesday meeting where Macron expressed that “Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a UN decision.” This remark refers to the United Nations General Assembly resolution from 1947, which proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
Macron’s statements, reported by an attendee of the meeting to AFP, included a note that “this is not the time to break away from UN decisions.” His comment seemed directed at Israel's military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite several UN calls for a cessation of hostilities, especially after UN peacekeepers were injured in the conflict.
In his rebuttal, Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s establishment was forged through the sacrifices of its soldiers during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. He stated, “a reminder to the president of France: it was not the UN resolution that established the State of Israel, but rather the victory achieved in the War of Independence with the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors – including from the Vichy regime in France.” Following their exchange, Netanyahu spoke with Macron by phone, informing him that he would not consent to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon, as noted in a statement from his office.
Tensions between Macron and Netanyahu escalated last week when Macron suggested a suspension of Western arms exports to Israel, arguing it was the only means to compel West Jerusalem to de-escalate tensions in Gaza and Lebanon. He accused Israel of “deliberately” endangering the 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, which includes approximately 700 French troops.
In response to Macron’s arms embargo proposition, Netanyahu called it “shameful,” asserting that Israel would prevail “with or without” Western assistance. He also urged the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping forces from Lebanon, claiming that Hezbollah was exploiting them as “human shields.” However, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN peacekeeping chief, stated on Monday that the peacekeepers would remain in their current positions.
Israel has faced international backlash after designating UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as persona non grata, following his condemnation of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and calls for a ceasefire after Iran’s assault on Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated that the decision stemmed from Guterres’ perceived “anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli behavior.” This action prompted over 100 UN member states to sign a letter supporting Guterres. Following Israel's ban, Guterres remarked to the UN council that it “should have been obvious” that he condemned Iran’s attack on Israel.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Macron’s statements, reported by an attendee of the meeting to AFP, included a note that “this is not the time to break away from UN decisions.” His comment seemed directed at Israel's military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite several UN calls for a cessation of hostilities, especially after UN peacekeepers were injured in the conflict.
In his rebuttal, Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s establishment was forged through the sacrifices of its soldiers during the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. He stated, “a reminder to the president of France: it was not the UN resolution that established the State of Israel, but rather the victory achieved in the War of Independence with the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors – including from the Vichy regime in France.” Following their exchange, Netanyahu spoke with Macron by phone, informing him that he would not consent to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon, as noted in a statement from his office.
Tensions between Macron and Netanyahu escalated last week when Macron suggested a suspension of Western arms exports to Israel, arguing it was the only means to compel West Jerusalem to de-escalate tensions in Gaza and Lebanon. He accused Israel of “deliberately” endangering the 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, which includes approximately 700 French troops.
In response to Macron’s arms embargo proposition, Netanyahu called it “shameful,” asserting that Israel would prevail “with or without” Western assistance. He also urged the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping forces from Lebanon, claiming that Hezbollah was exploiting them as “human shields.” However, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN peacekeeping chief, stated on Monday that the peacekeepers would remain in their current positions.
Israel has faced international backlash after designating UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as persona non grata, following his condemnation of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and calls for a ceasefire after Iran’s assault on Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated that the decision stemmed from Guterres’ perceived “anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli behavior.” This action prompted over 100 UN member states to sign a letter supporting Guterres. Following Israel's ban, Guterres remarked to the UN council that it “should have been obvious” that he condemned Iran’s attack on Israel.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
