Macron backs 'Israel’s right to defend itself’ in call with Netanyahu
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Despite strained ties with the Israeli occupation, the French President spoke with the Israeli prime minister and asserted "Israel's right to defend itself", while calling on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint."
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French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace in France on February 2, 2023. (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday following a surge in diplomatic tensions, the Élysée Palace confirmed. While the French presidency acknowledged the call, it did not disclose details of the conversation.
Macron, who earlier in the day reiterated "Israel’s" right to defend itself, also urged restraint and called for de-escalation amid the escalating regional crisis.
Relations between Macron and Netanyahu have been strained in recent months, largely due to "Israel’s" blockade of Gaza and France’s push to recognize a Palestinian state.
The call came in the wake of "Israel's" aggression on Iran, which struck over 100 military and nuclear sites and killed several top officials, including Iran’s chief of staff.
In the aftermath, Macron also held discussions with other global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-chair a UN conference in New York next week focused on a two-state solution for Palestine. Macron had been expected to speak on the matter Friday, but his planned address was postponed. He is now scheduled to speak to reporters later in the evening.
"To avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate," the president wrote on X.
Macron spoke after leading a meeting of France’s National Defense and Security Council, emphasizing that "all necessary measures will be taken to protect our citizens, as well as our diplomatic and military missions in the region."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also called for restraint, posting on X, "We call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability."
Pezeshkian vows devastating response to 'Israel's' aggression
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed on Friday that the Islamic Republic of Iran would deliver a powerful and legitimate response to "Israel's" act of aggression, warning that the enemy will deeply regret its actions.
"Israel" launched a major attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday, targeting residential buildings, nuclear facilities, and military infrastructure across Iran.
In a televised address to the nation, Pezeshkian clarified that Iran would not remain silent in the face of "Israel's" criminal and internationally unlawful attack.
“The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response from the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish action,” he declared.
The Iranian president condemned the Israeli aggression as a blatant violation of international norms, describing it as yet another example of "Israel's" criminal behavior.
“The aggression was in violation of all international obligations and displayed the savage and criminal nature of the child-killing and aggressive Zionist regime on the international stage,” Pezeshkian said.
