Washington, DC: After being denied the use of airspace for aircraft headed to Israel with military supplies, US president Donald Trump hit out at France for being ‘unhelpful’.
This came after Italy refused permission to US military aircraft to use its air base in Sigonella in Sicily.
“The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the “Butcher of Iran,” who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT,” Trump posted on Truth Social, as reported by PTI.
Israel has also halted its defence sales to France, citing ‘hostile attitude’, the Jerusalem Post reported. The decision was a result of France taking a hostile attitude toward Israel in the course of the
last two years, the newspaper has quoted a source as saying.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz formally ordered the halt, it was reported, but a decision of such significance could only take place if it was a priority of PM Netanyahu.
The Jersualem Post has also quoted an Israeli official as saying that French president Emmanuel Macron’s decision to not allow US aircraft to pass through his country’s airspace en route to Israel was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”, which led to the decision to halt defence procurement.
Even Spain has refused to allow the use of its military bases to the US. In March, Trump had reiterated his stance on cutting trade with Spain over the NATO ally’s refusal to allow the use of its military bases for operations linked to the war with Iran.
“We may cut off trade with Spain,” the US president said when asked about bilateral ties.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has been opposing the US-Israel joint military strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, from the start.
His government stands firmly against war, Sanchez had said. “This government is consistent in its principles and values: No to war,” he had said.