Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Christophe Ena / AFP / Profimedia
France has banned Israeli companies from participating in a naval fair to be held in November, underscoring the growing tension between the two allies over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. This was reported by two sources familiar with the situation, Reuters writes .
This is the second such ban this year. Earlier, France also restricted the participation of Israeli companies in another military event. The French Ministry of Defence said that there are no longer any necessary conditions for the presence of Israeli companies, given the position of President Emmanuel Macron, who called on Israel to stop operations in Gaza.
The decision came amid intense air strikes and ground operations by Israeli forces against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which have caused numerous civilian casualties. Western allies, including France, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Irritation between Macron and Netanyahu
In recent weeks, tensions between President Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have risen due to harsh comments from Paris. One of the reasons was that Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon put UN forces under threat.
Macron also angered Israel by calling for an end to the supply of weapons used by Israeli forces in Gaza. During a meeting of the French government, the president said that Israel should not forget that its state was created by a UN decision.
The Netanyahu government responded with a sharp statement, emphasising that Israel gained independence “in a war of independence, with the blood of heroic soldiers, many of whom were Holocaust survivors”.
France’s efforts in Lebanon under threat
The latest diplomatic friction between France and Israel could complicate Paris’ efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement in Lebanon. France is preparing to host an international conference to support Lebanese citizens, but Netanyahu has questioned France’s intentions by inviting countries such as South Africa and Algeria, which he says deny Israel’s right to self-defence.
These diplomatic misunderstandings could exacerbate tensions in the region and make it harder to reach a long-term solution to the conflict in Lebanon.
