Macro wants weapons shipments stopped for Israel

I think today's priority is that we return to a political solution, so that we stop sending weapons to the Gaza”, Macron told the France Inter broadcaster.

“Finance is not sending weapons”, he added.

France is not a major arms provider for Israel, and last year military equipment shipments reached up to $33m, according to the French Defence Ministry's annual arms export report. The United States, meanwhile, had sent weapons to Israel last year worth $3 billion.

In September, Britain announced the suspension of arms exports to Israel, calling for <x0 real risks” that those weapons could be used in serious violation of international humanitarian law.

Macron reiterated his concern over the ongoing Gaza conflict despite repeated calls for the parties to reach a ceasefire agreement.

I think we're not being heard. I think it's wrong, including for Israel's security”, he said, adding that the conflict is leading to “wrustery”.

He also spoke of the escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah the militant group and the political party controlling most of southern Lebanon in Lebanon. He said this escalation is “priority”.

“Liban can't become the new Gaza”, he said.

On Monday, October 7th, a anniversary of the unprecedented attack carried out by Hamas in Israel that sparked the war in Gaza is marked. Palestinian Radicals killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250.

As a result of the Israeli offensive, some 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.