https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/05/macron-france-stop-arms-israel-gaza-war/
France does maintain strong relations with Lebanon and only sends around 30 million euros to Israel. In some ways, this move would not directly impact Israel. However, it is a continued trend of diplomatic isolation. France has a massive influence in Lebanon from its colonial era. Over 2 million resident speak French. Could Israel's political isolation deepen as more European countries rebuke Israel
What is the significance of France's Macron calling for an Arms Embargo and being rebuked by Netanyahu
byu/Presidentclash2 ingeopolitics
Posted by Presidentclash2
6 comments
From a French perspective it’s nothing more than a symbolic statement, but it underlines a trend of increasing isolation and alienation of Israel from his allies
Does France have a massive influence in Lebanon? It seemed to be rather ineffectual during the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s. It isn’t clear if there are lingering affinities.
What people say in public and what is said behind closed doors don’t necessarily match imo.
As always, actions speak louder than words. If anything actually happens that’s significant, that will tell you what side Macron is actually on / whether this is symbolic / to appease a certain audience.
He’s panicking because Israel is about to reveal French assistance to Hezbollah, massive political corruption and France’s involvement in October 7 attack.
France has always positioned itself as an alternative voice in the West. It’s aligned with US leadership like 90% of the time, but has a degree of freedom that, say, the United Kingdom doesn’t really express. Macron especially has amplified this as a staunch European unionist, pushing for a truly pan-European front that’s equal to (rather than subservient to) Anglo leadership. Condemning Israel and supporting Lebanon is a very easy way for France to brandish these credentials. That + the historic strong France-Lebanon ties
It’s the only ethical thing to do in my opinion, I think in a few years the question will be why did other European countries kept providing arms for the destruction of Gaza.