“Coalition” against Hamas, peace process… what to remember from Macron’s speech in Israel

Emotions and politics. More than two weeks after the deadly Hamas attack, Emmanuel Macron traveled to Israel on Tuesday to meet with his colleague Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the families of the victims and hostages. He used the trip to express condolences to France, as well as discuss the consequences of the conflict and the fight against Hamas.

Condolences

Initially, the French head of state wanted to personally express “all the condolences of France and a friendly country.” Those of “our compatriots who were stunned by the incredible degree of pure violence and brutality,” he continued, assuring the Israeli prime minister of the “emotionality and solidarity of the French.”

French victims

During his speech, Emmanuel Macron also revealed some details about the French victims of the October 7 terrorist attack. He confirmed that 30 French were killed and that nine people were still being held hostage by Hamas. “More than we have had so far in the entire world,” he insisted. “We are working to achieve the release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip,” the head of state said in detail, thanking in passing “all those who help us conduct these discussions,” without specifying who the interlocutors were. “This is a priority for France,” he said.

The terrorist attack that hit Israel also represents “a black page in our own history,” Emmanuel Macron said, adding that for France it was “the deadliest terrorist attack since 2016.”

Fight against Hamas

The French leader’s trip to Tel Aviv is an opportunity to remind of Israel’s “legitimate right to defend itself” from Hamas, “this is a just cause.” The President of the Republic assured that France is “ready for the international coalition against Daesh (…) to be able to fight against Hamas.” So he announced that he proposed to international partners that “we could build a regional and international coalition” against “terrorist groups that threaten us all.”

This statement was accompanied by a warning: “Avoid fire throughout the region.” We must not take the reckless risk of opening a new front. (…) Let’s do everything not to add blood to the blood,” called Emmanuel Macron.

Respect for civilians

The head of state also spoke to Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip who have been under Israeli bombardment since the Hamas attack on October 7. “The fight must be merciless, but not without rules,” he insisted, emphasizing respect for the laws of war, “not targeting civilians” and the need to allow humanitarian aid to flow into the Gaza Strip.

Emmanuel Macron asked for electricity to be restored to Gaza hospitals “without using it to wage war,” insisting that France would “cooperate on this issue.”

Territory for Palestinians

As the Elysee Palace announced on Monday, Emmanuel Macron also called for the resumption of the “political process with the Palestinians, without which peace cannot be lasting.” He called for the Palestinian cause to be “heard intelligently.”

According to the French head of state, “stability will only be guaranteed if Israel’s response to violence is security, but also political.” For this to happen, the Jewish state must recognize the Palestinians’ “legitimate right to have a territory and a state,” while insisting that Israel’s security will be the “first condition.”