The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, responded sharply to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. Macron suggested that arms shipments to Israel, which are related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, should be halted to help facilitate a political resolution.

“Shame on that,” Netanyahu remarked, referring to Macron and other Western leaders advocating what he termed an arms embargo against Israel.

He stated in a pre-recorded video shared by his office that “Israel will triumph with or without their backing,” emphasizing that the push for an arms embargo is disgraceful.

Macron had earlier expressed on France Inter radio that the main goal should be “to return to a political solution and to stop the arms that are being used to fight in Gaza. France does not send any [arms].”

He added, “Currently, our focus is on preventing escalation. We must ensure that the Lebanese people are not sacrificed, as Lebanon should not become another Gaza.”

Notably, France is not a significant supplier of weapons to Israel, exporting military equipment valued at $33 million in the previous year, according to the annual arms export report from the defense ministry.

Macron’s remarks come amid a four-day diplomatic mission to the Middle East by his Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, which will conclude on Monday with a visit to Israel as Paris seeks to play a role in fostering diplomatic progress.