France's Macron: We must avoid escalation in Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sometime on Monday.

 French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during an international humanitarian conference for civilians in Gaza, at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, on November 9, 2023. (photo credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL VIA REUTERS)
French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he speaks during an international humanitarian conference for civilians in Gaza, at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, on November 9, 2023.
(photo credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL VIA REUTERS)

France will do all it can to avoid further escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, urging Israel to show restraint in any response.

"We are all worried about a possible escalation," Macron told BFM TV and RMC radio.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night in response to a suspected Israeli attack on Iran's Syria consulate on April 1.

"We will do all we can to avoid things flaring up, escalating, " Macron said, urging Israel to aim to isolate Iran rather than escalate the situation.

French president meeting with PM Netanyahu

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sometime on Monday, Ynet reported. 

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace at a joint news conference in Jerusalem last month. Macron called for the anti-ISIS coalition to regroup against Hamas. (credit: CHRISTOPHE ENA/REUTERS)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron embrace at a joint news conference in Jerusalem last month. Macron called for the anti-ISIS coalition to regroup against Hamas. (credit: CHRISTOPHE ENA/REUTERS)

Macron further criticized Iran's unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel early Sunday morning as disproportionate, noting that France helped intercept some of the drones and missiles per Jordan's request, Ynet reported. He also said he would urge Israel not to respond to Iran's attack in order to avert an escalation.