“We will not hesitate to attack violently in Lebanon”

“We will not allow an Iranian establishment in Lebanon,” President Macron said, and Chief of Staff Kochavi – who provided a security briefing to the French president and provided intelligence on Iran’s establishment in Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon – was even clearer: “We will not hesitate to attack with force wherever weapons, enemy or state-aided infrastructure are found.Macron himself said that “Iran must make gestures and act responsibly.”

“Only a year ago we stood together in Jerusalem, and with us dozens of other leaders from around the world,” said Rivlin, who was received by a state honor guard at the entrance to the Elysee Palace, “together we promised to continue to carry the torch of Holocaust remembrance and anti-Semitism, hatred and violence. A place for silence, indifference, winking or turning a blind eye. The French leadership today, led by you, Mr. President, shows a real commitment both in the fight against anti-Semitism and in maintaining the safety of the French Jewish communities living in its territory. In this fight we are real partners, and I would like to express our deep appreciation. “.

President Rivlin noted that the Abrahamic Agreements herald real hope for the peoples of the entire region, saying: “Moderate, pragmatic and peace-loving voices seem to be heard more and more. If we only learn to strengthen these voices, the Middle East and the entire Mediterranean basin will enjoy spatial cooperation in energy, trade, Infrastructure and tourism, collaborations that will move us all forward, and bring prosperity and abundance. “

He further stressed the danger of Iran’s intensification: “Such a vision, of partnership and peace, will only be achieved out of resolute opposition to the extreme and aggressive line that Iran dictates through its nuclear intensification and support for terrorist organizations. We will not allow an Iranian establishment 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 demand the responsibility of the Lebanese government for the terrorist activities carried out in its territory. I sincerely hope that the winds of change that are blowing in our region will also be translated into the Palestinian arena, and will promote the restoration of trust between our peoples. “

“The Court of Justice is open and available to the citizens of Israel, to the Palestinians, to human rights organizations,” Rivlin continued, “who demand to examine the legality of such and other processes. However, we will never apologize for the right and duty we have to protect our citizens from any threat to their security.” We have seen the damage that politicization has done to UN human rights bodies, and we are seeing the damage that is being done these days to the international court that has succumbed to political pressures.

“Our hand is always extended to those who sincerely wish to do so,” he added, “but any attempt to bend Israel’s hand through international bodies, while cynically and politically exploiting international law, is doomed to failure and does not in any way contribute to advancing relations between us and the Palestinians.”

After his remarks, President Macron addressed President Rivlin: “I get a friend today. The bond between us only got stronger from visit to visit, and I want to thank you for the personal connection and work we did together. For me, welcoming you with your wife was a moment I will never forget and I also do not forget how you received us in the country. “Together and the ability to work together. I was with you only a year ago and we marked 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We are determined to continue to protect the memory of the Holocaust as well as the fight against anti-Semitism.”

Macron commented on the content of the meeting: “We discussed the health situation in France and Israel, the fight against the epidemic and the main issues in the region. I reiterated several times our support for Israel and the importance of maintaining stability in the region.

“We also discussed the Iranian issue and I shared our concern about the situation,” Macron continued.Ni says unequivocally that Iran must stop violating the agreement. It must make the right decisions and act responsibly. “France is fully mobilized to find a solution to the issue and we intend to return and visit Iran in order to understand the ballistic situation there.”

Regarding Lebanon, Macron said: “You and I are very close to the Lebanese people and want stability and peace. We are confident that in the near future we will have to change our attitude because we cannot leave the Lebanese situation as it is.

“We must prevent the collapse of Lebanon and promote the formation of a government. We also discussed the normalization between Israel and certain Arab countries,” said the French president. “It raises great hope for the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and we are mobilized to help.”

Macron thanked Rivlin for his “commitment to the stability of the region,” adding that “there is no alternative to political negotiations and the recognition of everyone’s aspirations for recognition, security and sovereignty.” The French position has meaning only if we support both sides. “

Chief of Staff Kochavi addressed regional issues and said“Security-wise, the Lebanese state has been taken prisoner by the terrorist organization Hezbollah. It has lost control of its security policy, and as evidence – it does not implement Resolution 1701.

“Hezbollah currently holds thousands of missiles and rockets that are located in the heart of a civilian population and are deliberately intended to harm Israeli citizens,” Kochavi added. “The IDF will do everything to prevent this. The IDF has thousands of targets in Lebanon that are growing every week, and have extensive capabilities at their disposal to destroy them. Do not hesitate to attack forcefully on the day of command, Wherever there are weapons, an enemy or state infrastructure that aids the enemy.

“The Lebanese government is responsible for changing the situation, it and the Lebanese state will bear full responsibility for any Hezbollah action against the citizens of the State of Israel,” the chief of staff stated.