French President Emmanuel Macron, generally measured in his positions on Israel, faced a severe public rebuke last week from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It all began when Macron suggested that the escalation of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, combined with the ongoing war in Gaza, warranted a suspension of arms deliveries to Israel.

Netanyahu, visibly irritated, responded by accusing Macron of lacking support, stating: “Shame on you for making such a call while Israel fights for its survival,” with battles ranging from Gaza to Iran. In an effort to avoid confrontation with the pro-Israel lobbies in France, which are particularly influential, Macron quickly reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself, in a tense domestic political context following legislative elections that resulted in a divided parliament.

As a gesture of conciliation, Macron sent his Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, to Israel on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on towns near Gaza.

Shortly after the attack, like other Western leaders, Macron visited Israel, sparking controversy by calling for an international coalition against Hamas, similar to the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS in the past.

Unlike other European countries, such as Spain or Ireland, Macron has refrained from recognizing the Palestinian state. He also opposes the call from Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative, who advocates for collective recognition of Palestine to put pressure on Israel.

By drawing a red line, Netanyahu seems to be aiming to deter any French attempt to interfere with the expansion of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, including Macron’s efforts to organize an international support conference for Lebanon later this month.

Franco-Israeli relations, marked by a long history of support, have seen ups and downs, with moments of rupture, such as in 1968 when President Charles de Gaulle halted arms sales to Israel after its raid on Beirut airport, before recovering under François Mitterrand.

Netanyahu remains resolute in the face of criticism, whether from Macron, Biden, or the UN. He has defied the U.S. president by refusing a ceasefire in Gaza and rejecting a prisoner exchange, which includes several American citizens. In response to Biden’s suspension of a high-power arms delivery, he accused the U.S. of depriving Israel of its arsenal in the middle of a war.

In response to international pressure, Israel even refused to host UN Secretary-General António Guterres due to his calls for a ceasefire and his support for UNRWA.

Accusations of anti-Semitism, diplomatic pressure, and economic retaliation: Israel is sparing no effort to counter those who criticize its military campaign. The British government, which has suspended certain arms exports due to violations of humanitarian law in Gaza, and countries like South Africa, which has filed a lawsuit against Israel for alleged genocide, have also faced Israeli retaliation.

More than ever, the war in Gaza is isolating Israel on the international stage, pushing it to harden its stance against any initiative aimed at establishing a truce.