The office of French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured) issued a statement on Saturday following criticism by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The office insisted France is Israel's "steadfast friend" and called Netanyahu's remarks "excessive and unrelated to the friendship between France and Israel."
Earlier today, Netanyahu said that "all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel's side," adding "shame on them" after some Western leaders, including Macron, suggested an arms embargo on Israel. Macron's office clarified the embargo was mentioned in the context of the need to avoid further escalation in the Middle East and urged a return to "diplomatic solutions."
