Egypt urges enforcing Macron’s call to cease arms exports to Israel amid Gaza war

CAIRO – 6 October 2024: Egypt has urged the enforcement of French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to halt arms exports to Israel, citing the egregious humanitarian violations perpetrated by the Israeli army in Gaza and Lebanon.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Macron’s initiative, affirming that it “aligns fully with the principles and regulations of international humanitarian law and mirrors the widespread global dissatisfaction with the severe Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon.”

Egypt emphasized that the actions of the Israeli military in Lebanon and Gaza violate international law and international humanitarian law, resulting in injuries and fatalities among tens of thousands of civilians, most of whom are women and children.

The ministry declared that these actions represent a “blatant challenge to the international community.”

Egypt reiterated its appeal for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.

Egypt expressed gratitude for France’s supportive position regarding Palestinian rights, including the advocacy for the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution and pertinent international resolutions.

Netanyahu: 'Shame on them'

In recent remarks to France Inter radio regarding the year-long war in Gaza, Macron said that “the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza.”

In response, Netanyahu’s office released a video in which he described the call for halting arms deliveries to Israel “a disgrace.”

Netanyahu claimed that “Israel will win with or without their support,” in reference to France and other western nations who have adopted the same stance.

“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel's side,” Netanyahu said. “Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them.”

Later, Macron's office said in a statement that France and Israel are “steadfast friends,” calling Netanyahu’s reaction “excessive and detached from the friendship” between both countries.

Macron on Saturday expressed his regret that Netanyahu has sent ground troops to Lebanese soil despite the call by the US and France for a ceasefire in Lebanon.

“I regret that Prime Minister Netanyahu has made another choice, has taken this responsibility, in particular, for ground operations on Lebanese soil,” he stressed.