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Iran’s attack on Israel: what military link between France and the Jewish state?
Iran’s attack on Israel: what military link between France and the Jewish state?
(France 2)
During the night of Saturday April 13 to Sunday April 14, several operations to defend the Iranian attack against Israel took place from other countries or other military bases. What role did France play? Explanations with Étienne Leenhardt, on the 20 Heures set.
Israel was not alone in defending itself on Sunday April 14 against Iranian strikes. The United States in its role as an ally but also France intervened. “We learned about this from a statement by the spokesperson for the Israeli army, who thanked France, among other things, for the help provided last night”explains journalist Étienne Leenhardt, who recalls that France is present in several countries in the region, including Jordan and Iraq, where it has military bases.
“For the moment the only unofficial French response is to specify that France ‘only ensured the security of its bases’, an operation therefore rather defensive, unlike the American and British planes which intervened directly”continues the journalist.
France sells military equipment to Israel
He also underlines the diplomatic nuance between “active participation” And “simple operation to defend a military base”. On the other hand, there are military links between our country and Israel, to which France sells equipment: 25.6 million euros in 2022, which “represents only 0.2% of France’s arms sales abroad”and only, specify the French authorities, “to allow Israel to defend itself”. “France also participates in international operations to fight against Israel’s enemies, which target, for example, maritime traffic in the Red Sea”adds Étienne Leenhardt.
