A phone call with rather tense exchanges. The conversation between President Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu focused on the escalation of the situation in Lebanon. A diplomatic tension that comes a few days after France voted in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution calling for sanctions and an embargo on arms sales to Israel.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michel Paul
It was the French president who took the initiative for this telephone conversation which, according to several media outlets in Israel, very quickly took on a very tense tone. Emmanuel Macron would have immediately accused Israel of taking actions in the north of the country that are pushing the entire region towards war.
” It’s time to show leadership »
” You have a responsibility to prevent escalation. There is a diplomatic path. This is the time to show leadership and responsibility. “, the French president is said to have said. Benjamin Netanyahu immediately retorted, again according to Israeli media: “ It is time for you to put pressure on Hezbollah. We will bring the displaced residents back to their homes. This is a decision we made this week and we will implement it. “.
No reference to Hezbollah
The daily life Yediot Aharonot quotes a French diplomat who claims, on condition of anonymity, that a diplomatic arrangement between Israel and the Lebanon is still possible if all parties show responsibility. In Israel, at least, it is believed that what provoked Netanyahu’s anger was Emmanuel Macron’s video addressed to the Lebanese people in which he made no reference to Hezbollah.
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