‘Not agree’: Netanyahu and Macron clash over ceasefire call

Israel’s Prime Minister has clashed with French President Emmanuel Macron, as tensions continue to rise between the two leaders.

Israel’s Prime Minister has clashed with French President Emmanuel Macron over calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, as tensions continue to rise between the two leaders.

During a phone call with the French Presdient on Tuesday local time, Benjamin Netanyahu said was opposed to agreeing to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon, according to a statement released by his office.

“The prime minister said in the conversation that he is opposed to a unilateral ceasefire, which does not change the security situation in Lebanon, and which will only return it to the way it was,” Mr Netanyahu said.

The Israeli leader and the country’s military have repeatedly insisted that there must be a buffer zone along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon where there is no presence of Lebanese Hezbollah fighters.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu clarified (to Mr Macron) that Israel would not agree to any arrangement that does not provide this and which does not stop Hezbollah from rearming and regrouping,” the statement from his office said.

Israel’s Prime Minister has clashed with French President Emmanuel Macron over calls for a ceasefire. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

The remarks came as Mr Macron upped pressure on Israel to abide by UN decisions, telling his cabinet that “Mr Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN”, a participant in the meeting told AFP.

“Therefore this is not the time to disregard the decisions of the UN”, Mr Macron added.

The statement refers to the resolution adopted in November 1947 by the United Nations General Assembly on a plan to partition the territory into separate Jewish and Arab states.

Mr Netanyahu on Tuesday later hit back at Macron’s comments, saying the country’s founding was achieved by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, not a UN ruling.

“A reminder to the president of France: It was not the UN resolution that established the state of Israel, but rather the victory achieved in the war of independence with the blood of heroic fighters, many of whom were Holocaust survivors -- including from the Vichy regime in France,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron said “Mr Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN”. Picture: Sarah Meyssonnier/AFP

‘Disgrace’

Tensions have increased between Mr Netanyahu and Mr Macron, with the French leader earlier this month calling for countries to holt the supply to weaprons to Israel as it fights battles in Gaza and Lebanon.

“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised 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,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

“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.”

Mr Netanyahu lablled for an arms embargo were a “disgrace”, adding Israel would win “with or without their support, but their shame will continue long after the war is won”.

France has also repeatedly denounced Israeli fire against UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which includes a French contingent.

Mr Macron has announced plans to hold an international conference on Lebanon this month.

Mr Netanyahu said calls for an arms embargo were a “disgrace”. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP

US gives Israel 30 day deadline

Meanwhile, the US Government has sent a letter to Israel warning it has 30 days to improve humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza or it could halt military assistance.

The October 13 letter, penned by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, threatened to pause the delivery of US weapons and aid to Israel unless the Jewish state provided assurance that humanitarian aid flowed into Gaza unhindered, according to reports in Israeli media.

“To reverse the downward humanitarian trajectory and consistent with its assurances to us, Israel must — starting now and within 30 days — act on the following concrete measures,” the letter reads.

The US is calling for Israel to focus on three main categories: increasing humanitarian aid supplies by the winter, facilitating a delivery route through Jordan, and ending the state of “isolation” in northern Gaza.

“Failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for US policy under NSM-20 and relevant U. law,” the letter stated, referring to the policy which requires recipients of foreign aid to comply with international laws of war, and not to prevent humanitarian aid to civilians.

- With AFP and the New York Post