French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Israel to halt arms sales during a broadcast on "France Inter" radio. He stated that prioritizing a political resolution to the conflict in the Middle East is essential. According to his words, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies are misguided and could threaten the country's security.
In response, Netanyahu labeled Macron's statement as "shameful". "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 said in a statement issued by his office. Netanyahu said Israel was fighting a war on several fronts against groups backed by arch-foe Iran.The statement from Netanyahu's office emphasized that Israel will prevail regardless of Western support.
From Azerbaijan's perspective, Macron's call appears particularly hypocritical, especially since France is actively arming Armenia. This includes offensive weaponry such as CAESAR self-propelled howitzer and Bastion armored vehicles. There are plans for expanding military cooperation between the two countries in the near future.
Most of the weapons are provided to Armenia either for free or via credits allocated by Europe, indicating that the goal is not commercial but rather to arm Armenia against Azerbaijan. This poses a threat to peace and stability in the South Caucasus. President Ilham Aliyev remarked that external powers should "leave the South Caucasus alone, deal with their own affairs, and bury their bloody past."
Macron is a strange "peace dove": he supposedly wants the conflict in the Middle East to subside, but not in the South Caucasus. The reason is simple: what interests France in these regions is not the fate and welfare of the people, but securing its own interests and gaining the opportunity to intervene in processes. That’s why Macron says his country is ready to sell defense weapons to Israel. Because Israel does not purchase offensive weapons from France. Interestingly, why is Armenia only being provided with defense weapons?
Tariyel Hasanov
AzVision.az
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