Emmanuel Macron cautioned Benjamin Netanyahu that “we do not defend civilization by resorting to barbarism ourselves,” during a Paris conference organized by the French president. The event raised $200 million for Lebanon’s official military and $800 million in humanitarian aid for the country.
Macron also pledged support to train an additional 6,000 members of Lebanon’s armed forces. He called for a ceasefire and the cessation of Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers, which he described as unjustified.
The conference aimed to address Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis and bolster state institutions, including the army. France, with its historical connection to Lebanon and a significant Lebanese diaspora, led the initiative.
In his opening speech, Macron expressed regret over Iran’s involvement, noting that it had “aligned Hezbollah against Israel,” whereas Lebanon’s national interest required staying out of the Gaza conflict.
Addressing the Israeli prime minister, whose relations with Macron have significantly soured, the French president said: “Much has been discussed lately about a clash of civilizations or defending our civilization. I doubt that we defend it by sowing barbarism.”
Netanyahu, speaking earlier on Europe 1 radio, had remarked, “This is a war of civilizations against barbarism, and we are at the forefront. France must support Israel.”
Israel’s military actions in Lebanon began with the stated goal of ensuring the safe return of tens of thousands evacuated from northern Israel amid a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Beirut’s suburbs, and the Bekaa Valley, while ground troops advanced near the border. Lebanese officials report over 2,500 casualties and more than a million displaced, resulting in a humanitarian crisis.
Amid rising diplomatic tensions with the United States, Macron mentioned his and Joe Biden’s call on September 25 for a 21-day ceasefire, which has yet to be realized. It seems the U.S. has opted to conditionally permit Israeli strikes on Hezbollah to compel the group into a ceasefire.
As the conference concluded, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that a total of $800 million in humanitarian aid was secured, with an additional $200 million for Lebanon’s security forces, surpassing both the original UN target of $400 million and France’s €500 million ($540 million) goal.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not attend the conference, instead engaging in talks with Qatari leaders involved in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. “We have made it clear that this must not become a prolonged campaign,” he stated in Doha.
Macron suggested a stronger mandate for UN peacekeepers, whom Israel has criticized, emphasizing that it should be “robust, verifiable, and effective” to ensure that Lebanese authorities can maintain control over the entire territory in the long run.
Hezbollah, which has lost much of its leadership to Israeli strikes, has refused to discuss its strategies until Israel agrees to a ceasefire. Israel remains committed to weakening Hezbollah across Beirut and south of the Litani River.
The UN reports over 2,500 deaths and nearly 12,000 injuries in Lebanon since the conflict’s escalation a year ago. French efforts toward a ceasefire depend on Hezbollah’s willingness to end hostilities. Conflicting signals from the group about separating the Gaza and Lebanon conflicts persist, but France believes U.S. pressure on Israel could pave the way for an agreement.
Such an accord could potentially break the deadlock in Lebanon’s parliament, facilitating the election of a new president after a two-year stalemate largely shaped by sectarian divides.
Israel contends that UN resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, has not been fully enforced, partly due to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) failure to compel Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein suggested on Monday that a new, more assertive “1701+” mandate is needed.
Italy, a key UNIFIL contributor, has proposed creating a peacekeeping buffer zone with enhanced personnel, authority, and updated rules of engagement between Israel’s border and the Litani River. The plan also includes training for Lebanon’s regular army.
Israel, however, insists on maintaining access to Lebanese airspace, a demand unlikely to be accepted by any government in Beirut.
