“France already does not deliver weapons to Israel,” says Jean-Louis Thiériot, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs

Saturday October 5, speaking to France Inter, Emmanuel Macron declared that it was necessary to no longer send lethal weapons to Israel. A position which notably provoked the anger of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as the commemorations are being prepared for October 7. “We currently have, in Lebanon, 600 men engaged in UNIFIL and who are risking their lives. Any words I could say on this subject could put these men in difficulty”explains Jean-Louis Thiériot, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, guest of “La matinale weekend”.

According to him, if comments must be made to Emmanuel Macron’s comments, it must come either from the Élysée or from the Quai d’Orsay. “On the other hand, we can say that this is not a decision by the president, France already does not deliver weapons to Israel”specifies Jean-Louis Thiériot, who also mentions arms deliveries from Iran to the Houthis and Hezbollah.

On the words of Michel Barnier in the JDD of Sunday October 6, in which the Prime Minister reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself, Jean-Louis Thiériot indicates that the French position on the question is “a series of observations”. “The attacks of October 7 are terrorist attacks. Faced with an attack, Israel has the right to defend itself, and this right to defense must be exercised with proportionality and clear war aims and while preserving civilians”underlines Jean-Louis Thiériot.

The delegate minister calls for a ceasefire “with political perspectives which will necessarily include a construction of two states”. “To achieve this, we need great statesmen on both sides”he explains.

Watch the full interview in the video above