Mariem Njeh
14 Avril 2026 ¢Mise à jour: 14 Avril 2026
AA / Istanbul / Mariem Njeh
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on the Israeli government to “respect international law and abandon these endless wars” during the question session in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Distinguishing the Israeli people as “a friendly people” supported by France in terms of security, Barrot stated that Paris “firmly condemns” the government’s policy whenever it violates international rights, jeopardizing the security of the Israeli people.
Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank: a threefold indictment
The French Foreign Minister presented a three-part assessment.
Regarding Lebanon, he highlighted the strikes on April 8, which “bloodied” the country: bombings in Beirut and other cities resulting in “more than 300 deaths in less than ten minutes,” bringing the total victims to 1,500 since the start of “the war between Israel and the United States against Iran.” He also mentioned “infrastructural destruction, village demolitions, and the risk of prolonged occupation of the country.”
On Gaza, Barrot criticized the insufficient humanitarian aid, stating that it is “very inadequate and does not reach the people of Gaza and Palestinians in need.”
Regarding the West Bank, he deemed the continued financial blockade by the Israeli government as “unacceptable,” condemning “the acceleration of illegal settlements” and “the surge of violence by extremist settlers with impunity.”
European sanctions and Hungarian blockage
Faced with this situation, France has “repeatedly imposed sanctions at the national and European levels,” the minister emphasized. A third package of sanctions targeting “extremist and violent settlers” is currently “on the table” but was blocked until last Sunday “by one vote, that of Hungary.”
Barrot also reminded that the European Commission had other tools, mentioning the proposal to review the association agreement made last summer, which Paris had supported. “If the situation does not evolve, it holds this card,” he warned.
“Change in policy”
In conclusion, the minister stated, “In any case, it is the Israeli government that must change its policy, respect international law, and abandon these endless wars.”
