President Reuven Rivlin and Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi on Thursday warned French President Emmanuel Macron that Israel will not “delay beating Lebanon” if Hezbollah continues its military expansion with Iran’s support on the Israeli border.
Rivlin and Kochavi are in France as part of their European tour in an effort to force EU countries to oppose an International Criminal Court investigation into Israeli war crimes accused against Palestinians.
During their meeting with Macron, the two discussed a number of issues, including coronavirus, anti-Semitism and the threat posed by Iran to regional peace, including the Israel-Lebanon border.
France, formerly a colonial power, has a friendly alliance with Lebanon and has often supported the Lebanese, recently following a deadly explosion at the port of Beirut and amid the ongoing political unrest in the country.
“Just a year ago we stood together in Jerusalem with dozens of other leaders from all over the world,” said Rivlin, who was greeted with an honorary guard at the entrance to the Elysee Palace.
“Together, we have pledged to continue carrying the torch of Holocaust remembrance and the fight against Semitism, hatred and violence. Today’s French leadership, led by you, Mr. President, shows real commitment. both in the fight against anti-Semitism and in the well-being of the French Jewish communities living on its land. “
The president said they were among those pushing for the establishment of the ICC just to be punished by it for defending the Jewish state.
“The pursuit of justice was and remains an essential feature of the state of Israel and Israeli society,” Rivlin said. “Led by the horrors of the Holocaust, the arrival and Israelis were among those trying to defeat the ICC. establishment, which, today, is deeply involved in Israel’s decision-making process.
“However, we never apologize for the right and responsibility we have to protect our citizens from any danger. We have seen the damage that politics has done to the human rights groups of the UN, and we see the damage that is being done these days to the ICC, which has succumbed to political pressures. “
Rivlin also stressed the danger of Iran’s nuclear program and its efforts to continue with the army in the Middle East.
“Such a vision, partnership and peace, can only be achieved by vigorously resisting the offensive line that Iran has demanded through nuclear strengthening and supporting terrorist groups,” said Rivlin.
“We will not allow Iran to intervene in Lebanon through Hezbollah. We have no territorial dispute or war with the Lebanese people, and we hope that our friends, including France, will continue to call on the Lebanese government to take responsibility for the acts of terrorism committed on the land Aige. “
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French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at a press conference
(Photo: EPA)
Macron spoke shortly after Rivlin, expressing his appreciation of Israel in general, and of President Rivlin in particular.
“The connection between us has only grown stronger from visit to visit, and I want to thank you for the personal connection and the work we have done together,” said Macron. to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We are determined to continue to protect the memory of the Holocaust as well as the fight against Semitism. “
Macron also said that France is trying to stabilize Lebanon, which he said he hopes will further ties with Israel.
“We need to stop the collapse of Lebanon and encourage the formation of a government there. We are [Macron and Rivlin] We also talked about the normalization between Israel and some Arab countries, ”Macron said. “This raises great hopes for the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian talks. “
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French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference with President Reuven Rivlin
(Photo: EPA)
Kochavi, for his part, briefed the French president on the Iranian threat and briefed him on the entry of an Islamic Republic into Syria and Lebanon through the assistance of Hezbollah.
“From a security point of view, the state of Lebanon has been captured by the terrorist group – Hezbollah. It has lost control of its security policy,” Kochavi said. “Hezbollah currently has thousands of missiles and rockets in the heart of the civilian population that can reach Israel. The IDF will do everything to prevent this.”
“We will not delay a military attack anywhere where weapons and infrastructure are found with enemy or state support,” the chief of staff said.