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The French chief has accused the IDF of “intentionally” focusing on UN peacekeepers
French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his name for an arms embargo on Israel in response to ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon. He additionally condemned latest assaults on United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, describing them as “completely unacceptable.”
Two Sri Lankan peacekeepers with the UN Interim Power in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been injured this week after a Merkava tank fired at a watchtower on the power’s headquarters within the border city of Naqoura. Israel claims its forces fired at a right away menace, however Macron insists that the assault was “deliberate,” echoing the phrases of the power’s spokesperson to RT.
“It’s completely unacceptable to see UNIFIL troops being intentionally focused by Israeli military forces. We condemn it, we don’t tolerate it, and we is not going to settle for that it’s being repeated,” Macron mentioned following a summit of European leaders in Cyprus on Friday.
Macron argued that stopping the export of weapons utilized by Israel within the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon is essential to halting the violence.
“Everyone knows it. It’s the distinctive lever that may finish it,” the French chief instructed a joint information convention following a Med9 gathering, an alliance of 9 EU Mediterranean nations.
The French chief defined that he’s not calling for “disarming Israel,” however reasonably for “stopping all further destabilization on this a part of the world.”
This isn’t the primary time Macron has referred to as for an arms embargo in opposition to Israel. In an interview with French media aired final Saturday, he advocated for “a political resolution” to the battle within the Center East and argued that Western nations ought to “cease delivering arms for combating in Gaza.” He labeled the continued hostilities “a mistake” and warned in opposition to turning Lebanon into “a brand new Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with a fiery assertion, claiming that Israel is combating “on seven fronts in opposition to the enemies of civilization,” referring to conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, in addition to Iran and its allies in Syria and Iraq.
“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized international locations ought to stand firmly by Israel’s aspect,” Netanyahu mentioned. “But President Macron and different Western leaders are actually calling for arms embargoes in opposition to Israel. Disgrace on them,” he added, calling the transfer a “shame” and vowing that Israel “would win with or with out their help.”