Benjamin Netanyahu and Emmanuel Macron Trade Reproaches

French President Emmanuel Macron Meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Flickr).

French President Emmanuel Macron prodded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with comments about Israel’s founding on October 15, positioning himself more firmly against Israeli war efforts. Following an Israeli attack on United Nations peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon, Macron remarked in a meeting with his cabinet that "Mr. Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN." 

The disagreement began when Israel fired on the watchtower headquarters of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura on October 10. Two UN peacekeepers were hospitalized with minor injuries. UNIFIL reported Israeli troops invading one of its positions near the Lebanese town of Ramyah on October 13, later discharging weaponry that left 15 UN peacekeepers’ skins and stomachs irritated. Then, on October 16, UNIFIL claimed that Israeli tanks deliberately fired on its watchtower again, this time at a peacekeeping base near the Lebanese town of Kfar Kila.

Macron became a vocal critic of Israel as it ramped up its campaign in Lebanon. At a press conference in Cyprus on October 11, Macron called for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza and for a halt to arms exports to Israel. Macron’s government decided to ban Israeli arms manufacturers from the Euronaval Trade Show on October 15, which is coming up in early November.

Macron’s criticism of Israel has increased in the weeks following a video message addressed to Lebanon on September 20 in which he denounced war and expressed his heartfelt support for Lebanon as a friend of France. Macron’s message to Lebanon stood out since France, Lebanon’s former Mandatory governor, maintains close cultural and political ties with Lebanon. 

Netanyahu has urged UN peacekeepers to evacuate for their own safety, claiming that Hezbollah is using them as human shields. The UN, however, continues to insist that UNIFIL remain in all of its positions in southern Lebanon. 

In a statement responding to Macron’s comment about the UN’s role in the creation of Israel, Netanyahu took aim at France, saying, “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.” 

Macron is walking a fine line on the Israel question. While he does not hesitate to speak out against Netanyahu’s government, he continually reaffirms his commitment to Israeli security. Macron never intended for his jab at Israel’s founding to go public, having said the statement in a private cabinet meeting. He chided those who leaked it to the public, implying on October 17 that his statement was taken out of context.