The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for an arms embargo on Israel. Speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament commemorating the first anniversary of the events in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, Borrell made statements regarding Macron’s call to “cease arms shipments to Israel.” Supporting this call, Borrell stated, “We all say there are too many dead, but the death toll continues to rise. That is why taking a position like the one recently taken by the President of France, which has sparked comprehensive debates, is very important.”

Macron had called for a halt to arms shipments that Israel would use in its attacks on Gaza. Macron emphasized the need to return to a political solution in the region and the necessity of imposing an embargo on arms to be used in attacks in Gaza, stating that Israel must defend itself in accordance with international law and humanitarian law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized Macron’s statements, defending his struggle for “civilization” against Iran and describing calls for an arms embargo on Israel by Western leaders as “shameful.” In response to Netanyahu’s remarks, a statement from the Elysee Palace emphasized that France is a steadfast friend of Israel and stated that “Netanyahu’s words are going too far and have no bearing on the friendship between France and Israel.”