French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation about the situation in the Middle East. This discussion took place at a time when relations between the two countries became strained after Macron demanded to stop the supply of weapons to the Jewish state.

A statement issued by the Elysee Palace (the official residence of the French President) said that on Sunday the two leaders acknowledged their differences of opinion and stressed their mutual desire for better understanding.

According to the report of news agency Xinhua, Macron told Netanyahu that he believes that now is the time for a ceasefire. The statement of the Elysee said, ‘The supply of weapons, the prolongation of the war in Gaza and its expansion to Lebanon are a major threat to the security of Israelis and all the people of the region. We must immediately make decisive efforts so that we can find the necessary political solution for the security of all the people in Israel and the Middle East.’

Macron expressed condolences to the victims and their loved ones

On the eve of the first anniversary of the October 7 attack, Macron expressed the French people's solidarity with the Israeli people, especially the victims, hostages and their loved ones. France-Israel relations became tense over the weekend after Macron's radio interview on Saturday evening.

Macron had appealed to stop the supply of arms to Israel 

Macron stressed the importance of a political solution and called for stopping the supply of weapons to Israel for military operations in Gaza. Netanyahu strongly condemned this stance and said, 'President Macron and other Western leaders are now advocating an arms embargo on Israel. They should be ashamed.' He said that Israel will win whether it gets external support or not.

The French government announced that Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot would meet Israeli officials on Monday to further discuss the situation.