- French-Israeli hostage Mia Schem, 21, was kidnapped by Hamas at the Tribe of Nova festival on October 7 and released on Thursday, November 30, after 54 days of captivity in Gaza.
- The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his “great joy” following the release of the fourth French-Israeli hostage of the eight missing.
- “Thanks to Emmanuel Macron and Nicolas Sarkozy, who I know have not given up,” commented MEP Nadine Morano on X, publishing a video of a meeting between Mia Schem’s mother and the ex-president. Did he campaign for his release?
A great blessing in the face of double uncertainty: war and imprisonment. A few hours before the end of a seven-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, French-Israeli Mia Shem was released on Thursday November 30th. The end of a 54-day ordeal for the 21-year-old girl that began on October 7 during the deadly attacks by the Islamist movement. Faced with this fourth publication by a national, the Quai d’Orsay expressed its “great relief”.
Emmanuel Macron shared his “great joy” on X (formerly Twitter). Through this social network, Nadine Morano also shared a video about twenty seconds long. We see the former French president hugging Keren Schem, Mia’s mother, and one of her brothers. “Thank you very much, Emmanuel Macron and Nicolas Sarkozy, who I know have not given up,” commented the MEP on this short, silent extract.
Would the former right-wing strongman, close to the current president, with whom he had lunch at the Elysée Palace last week, have helped change the fate of his young compatriot? There is no doubt for the MEP. “He is a former President of the Republic, he has connections to Qatar (editor’s note: mediator country in the conflict), especially to the Emir. He also has expertise in hostage rescue. If he can be useful, he will. »
“Influence and recognition to push the boundaries”
During a visit to Sderot in October, Nadine Morano speaks with Mia’s mother, who she says expresses a desire to meet the former president. Something that was done on November 8th in Paris by the former minister and Meyer Habib, deputy for the French abroad. “He gave her advice on how to behave. He has the influence and recognition necessary to push the boundaries.”
Contacted by 20 Minutes, Nicolas Sarkozy’s entourage explains that the former president “respects French diplomacy” and, above all, does not want to “bypass” the team in power. During the interview with the family, he would have made Mia’s family aware of one point in particular: Never let up in the media coverage of the hostage. But when it comes to him “never doing things alone,” we insist. When asked, neither the Elysée Palace nor the Foreign Ministry wanted to comment on the role of the former head of state in the release of the young girl.
Four people are still “missing”
In addition, Nicolas Sarkozy has opted for discretion on social networks. He did not comment or publish a post related to the release of Mia, but rather reported on an upcoming book signing of his latest work.
In addition to Mia, who was hospitalized after her release, three other French-Israeli minors, Erez and Sahar Kalderon and Eitan Yahalomi, were released. Four more “disappeared” French people are still in the hands of Hamas.