The number of French victims killed in attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against the State of Israel has risen again, with 40 dead and eight missing, including hostages, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on Monday.
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“This morning there are 40 dead and eight missing,” among whom “there are obviously hostages,” said the head of government on the France Inter radio station.
An earlier report reported 39 dead and nine hostages or missing.
“The discussion is initially underway with the Israeli authorities, but also with partners in the region,” because “our priority is of course the release of the hostages,” assured Elisabeth Borne and reiterated France’s call for a “humanitarian ceasefire.”
Referring to the rise in anti-Semitic acts, she said she had “fully appreciated the fear” of French Jews “in the face of this resurgence” and assured that the government was “doing everything to protect them.”
“Of course we cannot accept this resurgence of this anti-Semitism in our country, which we have not seen for years, and we will be stubborn, we will not let anything get away with it, people will be found and convicted,” said the first minister, his father was a former deportee of Jewish faith.
“It is important that as many voices as possible are heard saying that anti-Semitism has no place in our country. “Attacking a Jew is an attack on the republic and we must all defend ourselves against this resurgence of anti-Semitism,” added Elisabeth Borne.
However, the prime minister criticized Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, who called for a gathering of “all political forces” against anti-Semitism. “No doubt he is also trying to free his conscience through his alliance with rebellious France,” she said.
Olivier Faure called on “all political forces” to rally against anti-Semitism on Sunday, but quickly caused controversy on the left by not closing the door on participation in the national rally, at least initially.