Hours after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for arms embargo a “disgrace”, the latter’s office reacted saying “France is Israel’s steadfast friend”, the Times of Israel reported on Sunday.

The Elysee stressed that Macron “supports Israel’s security and demonstrates it,” according to the Times of Israel. Macron’s office reportedly stated that France mobilised its military this week during Iran’s missile attack, as it did in April.

Macron “personally told the Iranian president of France’s commitment to Israel’s security. He reiterated that France would not allow Iran or any of its proxies to attack Israel and would always find us facing it if it resorted to force,” Times of Israel reported.

At the same time, Macron believes that “the urgent need is to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region,” including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the Times of Israel quoted the Elysee as saying. “It is in this context that the President calls for an end to arms exports intended for use in Gaza,” Macron’s office continues.

Macron “personally told the Iranian president of France’s commitment to Israel’s security. He reiterated that France would not allow Iran or any of its proxies to attack Israel and would always find us facing it if it resorted to force,” Times of Israel reported.

At the same time, Macron believes that “the urgent need is to avoid the escalation of tensions in the region,” including an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the Times of Israel quoted the Elysee as saying. “It is in this context that the President calls for an end to arms exports intended for use in Gaza,” Macron’s office continues.