Israel retaliates against France

In an official statement, the Israeli Defense Ministry said it “will reduce all defense procurement from France to zero” and confirmed the cancellation of a planned visit by a senior French defense official. It added that “there will be no new professional engagement with the French military.”

Macron ally diverts to Lebanon

According to Ynet, Alice Ruffo – a deputy to French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin and a reported close ally of President Emmanuel Macron – had been scheduled to visit Israel on Sunday.

Reports differ on the sequence of events, with some suggesting France’s airspace denial came after Ruffo’s visit was scrapped by West Jerusalem. Sources cited by Reuters indicated this marked the first time Paris had refused access to an Israel-bound arms shipment since the regime change campaign against Iran was launched over a month ago.

Ruffo traveled to Lebanon this week, where she met senior officials and oversaw the delivery of 39 French-made VAB armored personnel carriers to the Lebanese Army. Israel currently occupies the southern part of Lebanon.

Mounting diplomatic fallout

Macron introduced the arms embargo on Israel in late 2024 as part of a broader effort to pressure West Jerusalem over its military action in Gaza. Israeli defense firms have also been barred from showcasing products at French arms exhibitions.

Although France continues to export certain dual-use goods to Israel, volumes have declined significantly. A parliamentary report in 2025 noted that such exports – which require case-by-case approval – totaled €76.5 million ($88.6 million) in 2024, representing a 60% drop compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, European NATO allies have largely rejected US calls to support its attack on Iran. The Pentagon reportedly had issues with using Italian and British military bases for the bombing campaign, while Spain refused to be involved in any way and has denounced the US and Israel for initiating the hostilities.

Israel ‘turned its back’ on Macron’s conciliatory moves

Israel has “turned its back” on Macron despite a series of recent French efforts to ease tensions, Le Figaro has said.

In November, Israeli companies were permitted to showcase their goods at the Milipol internal security exhibition in Paris. The following month, France signaled it would not join other European countries in boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation.

On March 20, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, in Jerusalem – an event Paris viewed as a key step toward improving ties after Macron’s decision last year to recognize the State of Palestine.

However, Israel appears uninterested in rapprochement, Le Figaro argued. It noted that even before the latest dispute, West Jerusalem had dismissed French objections to its planned military incursion into Lebanon, a former French mandate territory.

Trump urges allies to ‘take’ Iranian oil

Over the past several days, the Trump administration has indicated that the US campaign against Iran could conclude within two weeks. Some analysts, however, suggest the messaging may be a strategic distraction as the Pentagon has moved thousands of marines and airborne forces to the Middle East in preparation for a possible face-saving yet risky ground operation.

Tehran has rejected Trump’s calls for a truce, insisting it will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and tally ships passing through the vital shipping corridor. US officials have argued that countries more reliant on Persian Gulf energy supplies than the US should take responsibility for enforcing free traffic.

In a separate Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said nations such as the UK that face fuel shortages but decline to support the US and Israel should either buy American oil or “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”