France: A Country That Blows Hot And Cold On Foreign Policies

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French policies on foreign issues is not clear.  It supports oppressive regimes by supplying them with arms and ammunition.  It also supports human rights activists fighting for freedom and justice.     Can France actually have it both ways?

France recently joined other European countries in imposing targeted sanctions on Russia for its support of Ukrainian rebels including supplying the rebels with heavy weapons used to bring down the Malaysia MH17 passenger plane.  However, the country also plans to sell two navy warships to Russia.  This comes amidst oppositions to the warship deal by human rights activists. 
French warship
French warship destined for Russia

France has also shown lack of consistency in its foreign policies in the current Israeli - Palestinian crisis.  As usual the war between Israel and Palestine is raging and Israeli forces have been attacking Hamas targets in Gaza, resulting in the lives of many Palestinian civilians.  During the recent 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, France deviated from the main agenda by condemning this current Israeli military action in Gaza and calling on the international community to follow suit. 
Gaza conflict
Destroyed buildings in Gaza


The question that arises is why France is condemning Israel for taking self defence action against militants who are kidnapping Israelis and firing rockets into Israeli populated areas but supplying modern navy warships to Russian who is fanning the crisis in Ukraine and has poor record on human rights? The simple answer is economics.  

France will get about $6b (six billion US Dollars) from the two warships deal with Russia but will allocate a lot of resources to protect Jewish interests in France which are increasing coming under attacks by Moslem militants.  It is feared that the more the crisis in Gaza is prolonged the more that France will spend on resources in protecting the Jewish interests across France.  Hence, France will like to see a quick resolution on the Gaza conflict.

I think it is the right time for France to stop playing politics with human lives and make its position on foreign policies clear and consistent.  Otherwise, France stands losing its beleaguered prestige within the international community and becoming a laughing stock among civilized nations.

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