Middle East: Is French diplomacy neglecting Lebanon in favor of Israel?

Context: The content discusses the changing stance of French diplomacy towards Lebanon amidst recent conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.

France’s Silence on Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Raises Questions It was a sequence that spoke volumes about the shift in French policy towards Lebanon. On March 9, 2026, as Israeli strikes had already claimed nearly 500 lives in a week in Lebanon, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, refused six times to answer on France Inter whether the Israeli bombings were “disproportionate.”

Unusual Silence in French Diplomacy This unusual silence and evasion were seen as a departure from France’s usual inclination to support Lebanon during Israeli-Lebanese conflicts, particularly in 1996 and 2006. This change of tone by the French Foreign Ministry was significant, even though it had already begun during previous military operations between Israel and Lebanon from late September to late November 2024.

A Timid Position Contrasting Past Policies Since the resumption of hostilities between Israel and the pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah at the beginning of March, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French President have limited their statements. France expressed “deep concern” over the ongoing violence in Lebanon, condemning Hezbollah’s decision to join Iranian attacks on Israel and urging Israel to refrain from land interventions in Lebanon. They also called for restraint from all parties involved.

The Position of Macron and Chirac The current stance of French President Emmanuel Macron contrasts with that of former President Jacques Chirac, who had taken a firmer stance during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Macron’s approach has been criticized for its perceived leniency towards Israel.

Fact Check: The article discusses recent conflicts and diplomatic responses between Lebanon, Israel, and France. French diplomatic shift towards a more nuanced approach in the face of escalating tensions.