There is no “yes, but” in this case, no line of argument with possible justification. In a long-awaited address to the nation on Thursday night, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke in detail for the first time about the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. He called it “barbarism” that testified to “blind, murderous hatred.” “This is an earthquake for Israel, for the Middle East and far beyond.”
Israel has the right to defend itself and counterattack – “strong and fair”, said Macron, and then explained what he meant by that: Only if the reaction is fair and Palestinian civil society is spared will it be truly strong. He called on the Israeli government to comply with international law, even if the pain is great. Hamas described Macron as a “terrorist movement that criminally and cynically exposes” the people of Gaza to all dangers.
One hundred anti-Semitic acts in five days
It was exciting to see whether Macron would try to show a political way out of the war, perhaps even aspire to a leadership role in the search for peace. The fight against terrorism, he said, must not overshadow the search for peace. France has always been committed to ensuring that the Palestinians have their own state. In principle, this is true, but this Parisian commitment to a two-state solution – which appears increasingly illusory – has steadily faded over the past two decades.
Before that, Macron had waited an unusually long time before offering a comprehensive assessment of the war in the Middle East – so long that the French media suspected it was an uphill struggle for the right words. “Restons unis!”, Macron said several times, “Let’s stay one!”. France must use its internal unity to convey a message of peace to the world. This appeal was a response to the concerns of many French people about the so-called import of the conflict, that is, about its spread. In a survey carried out by broadcaster BFM TV, 85% of those interviewed said they were afraid of this.
In recent days, the government has mobilized thousands of additional security forces to provide even better protection to synagogues and Jewish schools in the country. The state of alert is always high, even in supposedly peaceful moments. “It is our most important duty to protect Jews in our country,” Macron said. Everyone remembers the dramatic attack on a Jewish school in Toulouse, in 2012, in which three children and a teacher were killed, and the attack on the Hyper Cacher supermarket, in Porte de Vincennes, in Paris, in 2015, in which four also died people.
“All conflicts in the Middle East lead to an increase in anti-Semitism,” said Yonathan Arfi, president of the Jewish umbrella group Crif, which advocates for the concerns of the approximately 500,000 Jews in France. “The situation is very combustible right now.” Since the Hamas attacks in Israel, the French Interior Ministry has counted around a hundred anti-Semitic incidents, including new wall labels, swastikas and curses against the Jewish people. A total of 400 such actions were reported in 2021.
“The Republic never gives up on its children”
Macron said the Republic would be “merciless” towards those carrying hate. He wanted this determination to be understood as a protection for everyone: sometimes hatred affects Jews, sometimes Christians, sometimes Muslims.
Before his speech, Macron invited the main representatives of all parties in parliament to the Élysée Palace so that the promised unity could also be implemented in political operations, if possible. The recently tested format was used for the first time: all guests had to hand over their cell phones at the entrance, and employees were not allowed to bring them. And they should not reveal anything that was discussed to the outside world. But not all participants wanted to comply with the agreement. As soon as the meeting ended, the speakers told reporters in front of the Élysée Palace entire excerpts of the conversation, and they quoted directly from them, with quotation marks and closings. Even the seating arrangement in the hall became public.
A deputy from the extreme left La France insoumise was also present. Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s party drew the ire of the entire political class because it was the only force that refused to label Hamas’ attacks as “terrorist”. Even within the left-wing Nupe electoral alliance, outrage over the Insoumis is so great that a partner party, Europa Verde Écologie, has now abandoned the alliance.
Secrecy was also necessary in this meeting with the president because there were French among the many Hamas hostages and the guests learned something about their fate. Seventeen are missing, including four children. Macron said some of them were in the hands of Hamas. They say efforts are underway to release them through diplomatic channels. Macron said: “The Republic never gives up on its children.”