Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, stating that supplies of arms to Israel used in the Gaza conflict should be ceased as part of a wider initiative to reach a political resolution.

“Shame on them,” Netanyahu remarked regarding Macron and other Western leaders advocating for what he termed an arms embargo against Israel.

“Israel will succeed regardless of their backing,” he articulated in a pre-recorded video shared by his office, emphasizing that calling for an arms embargo is disgraceful.

Macron had earlier indicated in an interview with France Inter radio that the immediate goal is “to return to a political solution and to stop the arms that are being used in Gaza. France is not supplying any arms.”

“Our main focus right now is to prevent further escalation. The Lebanese people should not be made sacrificial victims; Lebanon must not turn into a second Gaza,” he added.

France is not a key supplier of arms to Israel; it exported military equipment valued at $33 million last year, as per the defense ministry’s annual report on arms exports.

Macron’s remarks come during a four-day visit by his Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to the Middle East, which will conclude this Monday in Israel as Paris attempts to play a role in rekindling diplomatic discussions.