Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced plans for "legal and diplomatic measures" in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent decision to prohibit Israeli companies from exhibiting at the upcoming Euronaval Salon, a naval defense fair set to take place in Paris from November 4 to 7. Katz criticized the ban as an anti-democratic action that is "not acceptable, especially between friendly nations."
While Katz did not specify the nature of the measures he intends to pursue, the French government has yet to comment on the situation. Organizers of the Euronaval Salon confirmed to Reuters that, following a decision by the French government, no Israeli stands or exhibits will be permitted at the fair, although delegates will still be allowed to attend.
Tensions between France and Israel have escalated recently, particularly after Macron called for an arms embargo aimed at halting weapons supplies that contribute to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This call for a ban, perceived as targeting the United States, prompted a strong reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who publicly denounced Macron and other unnamed Western leaders for their positions.
In the days following Macron's remarks, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also advocated for an arms embargo due to concerns about Israeli military actions affecting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Netanyahu's criticism of Macron extended to comments regarding the historical context of Israel's founding. According to reports, Macron indicated to his ministers that Netanyahu should remember that Israel was established by a UN decision, referencing the 1947 United Nations General Assembly resolution that proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Netanyahu rebuked this characterization, asserting that Israel's creation was the result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, not merely a UN ruling.
In response to the backlash from both domestic and international audiences, Macron attributed the controversy to a "lack of professionalism" among his ministers, as well as media misinterpretations. During a press conference following an EU summit, he stated, “I believe I say enough about the situation in the Middle East not to need a ventriloquist,” suggesting that his comments had been misrepresented.
The diplomatic rift between France and Israel continues to unfold, highlighting the complexities of international relations amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
No comments:
Post a Comment