“Netanyahu must not forget Israel, which was created by a UN decision”

French President Emmanuel Macron said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created as a result of a United Nations resolution and called on his government to abide by UN decisions.

Tensions between Netanyahu and Macron have increased as the French leader insisted last week that halting the export of weapons used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end the conflicts.

France has also repeatedly denounced Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which include a French contingent.

“Mr Netanyahu must not forget that his country was created by a decision of the UN,” Macron said at the weekly French cabinet meeting, referring to the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in November 1947 on the plan to divide Palestine into the Jewish state and an Arab state.

“Therefore, it is not the time to disregard the decisions of the UN,” he added, as Israel carries out attacks against southern Lebanon, where UN peacekeepers are stationed.

His comments from the closed session at the Elysee Palace were quoted by a participant who spoke to AFP and asked not to be named.

UN Security Council Resolution 1701 states that only the Lebanese army and the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL should be stationed in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu on Sunday called on the United Nations to move the 10,000-strong peacekeeping force, which also includes 700 French soldiers stationed in southern Lebanon, out of harm’s way, claiming Hezbollah was using them as “human shields,” a claim , which is used relentlessly by Israel to target civilians, hospitals, schools, places of worship, refugee camps and more in Palestine.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said on Tuesday he was against agreeing to a “unilateral ceasefire” in Lebanon during a phone call with Macron, according to a statement released by his office.

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