RELEASE: Gottheimer, Wilson Lead Bipartisan Letter to Macron Expressing Deep Concern Over Call to Halt Arms Deliveries to Israel

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, October 29, 2024, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Joe Wilson (SC-2) led a bipartisan letter signed by 18 Members of Congress to French President Emmanuel Macron expressing deep concern over his call to halt arms deliveries to Israel. The Members also called on Macron to reconsider his decision.

The signatory list of 18 bipartisan Members of Congress includes Reps. Gottheimer (NJ-5), Wilson (SC-2),  Davis (NC- 1), D’Esposito (NY-4), Goldman (NY-10), Lawler (NY-17), Manning (NC-6), Moskowitz (FL-23), Norcross (NJ-1), Soto (FL-9), Stevens (MI-11), Suozzi (NY-3), Tenney (NY-24), Thanedar (MI-13), Torres (NY-15), Turner (OH-10), Wasserman-Schultz (FL-21), Williams (NY-22)

“Now, more than ever, Israel needs strong allies reinforcing their commitment to her security, not adopting policies that embolden those seeking her destruction. The threats posed by Iran and its ‘Axis of Resistance’ are not just limited solely to Israel and the Middle East, but to the existing world order, and to the lives of American and French citizens. It is crucial that France support Israel in its efforts to root out terrorism, defend her citizens, and secure the safe return of all the remaining 101 hostages before it is too late.” wrote Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5), Congressman Wilson (SC-2), and 16 bipartisan Members of Congress in a letter to French President Macron. 

The 18 bipartisan members continued, “We strongly urge you to reconsider your position and instead focus on diplomatic efforts that enhance democracy and security in the region. Given France’s longstanding embodiment of its motto ‘liberty, equality, and fraternity,’ it is paramount that France continues to stand with its international partners and support our greatest, democratic ally in the Middle East.”

Full text of the letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken can be found here and below:

October 29, 2024

H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron President of the French Republic Palais de l’Élysée

55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008

Paris, France

Dear President Macron,

We are writing to express our deep concern over your recent call to halt arms deliveries to Israel. Just over one year ago, Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist group, brutally murdered 1,200 people, including 48 French citizens, and took over 240 hostages. Today, 101 remain captive in Gaza, including two French-Israeli dual citizens.1 2 Your comments to halt arms and weapons deliveries to Israel will further embolden Iran and its proxies to escalate their attacks against Israel, undermining the State’s right to defend herself and her citizens.

Since October 7, Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, has been orchestrating a targeted military campaign against Israel, both directly and indirectly through terrorist proxies on multiple fronts. This includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and militias in Iraq and Syria. This coalition of terror shares Iran’s mission to annihilate the State of Israel, kill Jews, and undermine global democracy.

The recent attack on Israel by Iran marks a significant and disturbing escalation of aggression toward our closest ally in the region. Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel – the largest single ballistic missile attack in history.3 Currently, Israel is fighting a seven-front war against Iran and its terrorist proxies. Now, more than ever, Israel needs strong allies reinforcing their commitment to her security, not adopting policies that embolden those seeking her destruction.

The threats posed by Iran and its “Axis of Resistance” are not just limited solely to Israel and the Middle East, but to the existing world order, and to the lives of American and French citizens. It is crucial that France support Israel in its efforts to root out terrorism, defend her citizens, and secure the safe return of all the remaining 101 hostages before it is too late.

We strongly urge you to reconsider your position and instead focus on diplomatic efforts that enhance democracy and security in the region. Given France’s longstanding embodiment of its motto “liberty, equality, and fraternity,” it is paramount that France continues to stand with its international partners and support our greatest, democratic ally in the Middle East. Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

SIGNED MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

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