French President Emmanuel Macron issued a series of statements this week regarding Israel’s recent defensive strike in Beirut—statements that not only disregard the facts on the ground but dangerously downplay Hezbollah’s role as an Iranian-backed terror proxy entrenched in Lebanon.
In remarks aimed at expressing “solidarity” with Lebanese civilians, Macron accused Israel of violating a ceasefire and unjustifiably striking Beirut, claiming that no Hezbollah military activity had been reported in the area.
What he failed to mention? The Israeli Air Force had just targeted a Hezbollah drone warehouse in the heart of Beirut—a legitimate military target used by a terror organization that has launched thousands of attacks on Israeli civilians since October 8, 2023.
Willful Blindness to Terrorism
Macron’s suggestion that “nothing justifies the Israeli bombing” is not only factually incorrect—it is morally indefensible. Hezbollah is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization that has transformed entire neighborhoods of Beirut into weapons depots and command centers. These are not theoretical threats—they are operational, deadly realities that Israel faces daily.
Rather than holding Hezbollah accountable for violating Lebanese sovereignty, Macron castigated Israel—the only democracy in the Middle East—for acting in self-defense.
Macron’s call to reinforce the ceasefire, deploy UNIFIL forces, and support Lebanon’s “reconstruction” comes with no demands on Hezbollah to disarm, no mention of its blatant violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and no recognition of Iran’s role in orchestrating attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory.
Suggesting that the “Lebanese state’s efforts to monopolize arms control have begun to yield results” is delusional at best. Hezbollah’s arsenal today is larger and more advanced than ever, and the Lebanese Armed Forces remain powerless—or unwilling—to confront them.
A Dangerous Double Standard
Israel’s targeted strike was not only justified—it was necessary. As long as Hezbollah stores drones, rockets, and missiles in civilian areas, Israel will retain the full right under international law to neutralize those threats. Macron’s failure to acknowledge this sends a dangerous message: that European leaders are willing to overlook terrorism when it serves their diplomatic image.
The people of Lebanon do deserve peace. But peace will never come as long as Hezbollah remains an armed state within a state—and leaders like Macron continue to ignore the elephant in the room.
