“Israel only exists thanks to the UN,” Macron told Netanyahu, calling for respect for international resolutions and threatening to cut support amid the conflict
French President Emmanuel Macron harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, recalling that Israel was created by a United Nations resolution and asking the country to respect UN decisions. At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Macron stressed that Israel must not ignore the international resolutions that guaranteed its existence, referencing the 1947 UN plan that divided Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state.
Tensions rise between France and Israel
The relationship between Macron and Netanyahu has become increasingly tense. Last week, the French leader publicly defended the suspension of arms exports to Israel, used in military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, as the “only way to put an end to the conflicts”. Macron also reiterated his concern about Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, where there is a French contingent.
During the meeting, Macron emphasized: “Mr. Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a UN decision”highlighting that, at this time, it is essential that Israel does not ignore international resolutions. Israel continues its ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, an area where UNIFILEthe United Nations peacekeeping mission, is present.
Macron also highlighted that the Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council establishes that only the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are allowed to operate in southern Lebanon. These statements took place in a closed-door meeting at the Élysée Palace, as reported by an anonymous source to AFP.
Netanyahu, in turn, last Sunday asked the United Nations to move the 10,000-strong peacekeeping force — including 700 French soldiers — out of the conflict area, claiming that Hezbollah was using them as “human shields”. However, France continues to express its concerns about Israel’s military actions and the growing risk to international forces in the region.
While Israel maintains its operations, international pressure, led by France, demands that the country review its actions and respect United Nations resolutions, remembering the origins of its founding and the responsibilities that this implies.
With information from AFP
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/10/16/macron-coloca-netanyahu-contra-a-parede/
