TEL AVIV. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly rejected comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who claimed that the United Nations created Israel. Netanyahu responded with a pointed statement, emphasizing that Israel’s creation was the result of the sacrifices made during the 1948 War of Independence.
The diplomatic spat began after Macron, addressing his cabinet, remarked that Netanyahu should “not forget that his country was created by a decision of the U.N.,” referencing the 1947 United Nations resolution that partitioned British-controlled Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. “Therefore, this is not the time to disregard the decisions of the U.N.,” Macron added, urging Israel to adhere to international consensus.
In response, Netanyahu issued a forceful rebuttal, reading from an official statement: “A reminder to the French President: It was not a U.N. decision that established the State of Israel but the victory that was achieved in the War of Independence with the blood of our heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors, including from the Vichy regime in France.” The reference to Holocaust survivors underscored the deep emotional and historical significance Netanyahu attached to Israel’s founding, beyond diplomatic resolutions.
Macron’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, following Hamas’ unprovoked attack on October 7, 2023. Additionally, Israel has been conducting military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militant group, after a year of rocket fire from its northern neighbor.
The two leaders have also clashed over Macron’s recent push for an arms embargo on Israel. Earlier this month, Macron called for a halt to arms exports to both Gaza and Lebanon as part of an effort to broker a ceasefire. In an interview, Macron said, “I think that today, the priority is that we return to a political solution, that we stop delivering weapons to fight in Gaza,” according to Euro News.
Netanyahu, however, was quick to condemn these efforts. In a fiery statement earlier this month, he said: “As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side, yet President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them.”
Netanyahu further criticized what he called a double standard, noting that Iran continues to supply arms to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. “Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Houthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not. This axis of terror stands together, but countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel.”
He called such calls a “disgrace,” vowing that Israel would prevail “with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won.”
Macron has yet to respond to Netanyahu’s latest remarks, but the exchange highlights deepening tensions between Israel and its Western allies as the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon intensifies. While France has ceased supplying arms to Israel, Macron has affirmed that missile defense support would continue.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
