French President Macron Asks Israel for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

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French President Macron Asks Israel for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

November 12th, 2023

Awake Goy

Home » Europe, Wars / Conflicts » French President Macron Asks Israel for an Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a stand against the ongoing bombing of civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding all lives. Speaking to the BBC following a humanitarian aid conference in Paris focused on the Palestinian enclave, Macron expressed France’s condemnation of the Hamas attacks on October 7. These attacks, from Gaza, resulted in the tragic deaths of 1,400 Israelis.

While Macron empathized with Israel, acknowledging that France shared the country’s pain and its commitment to combating terrorism, he unequivocally stated that there is “no justification” for the continuous bombing of Gaza’s civilian population.

The French president stressed that it is of utmost importance, both in line with democratic principles and for long-term stability and the security of Israel, to acknowledge that “all lives matter.” He highlighted the deplorable situation where civilians, including children, women, and the elderly, are subjected to bombings and casualties.

Macron made a plea to Israel, urging them to halt the bombings. He stated that the clear consensus reached by various governments and agencies at the conference was that a humanitarian pause leading to a ceasefire is the only viable solution. Such an approach would provide protection to all civilians who have no connection with the terrorists responsible for the attacks.

However, when questioned about the prospect of prosecuting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza, Macron refrained from criticizing “a partner and a friend.” He indicated that it was not the right time for a head of state to criticize another leader, particularly in the wake of a recent terrorist attack.

Nonetheless, Macron went on to argue that large-scale bombings in Gaza were detrimental and created animosity and ill feelings within the region. During his visit to Israel the previous month, he had proposed reactivating the US-led “global coalition against ISIS” to counteract Hamas, although this proposal did not seem to capture Netanyahu’s interest.

In response to Macron’s call for a halt to the bombings, Netanyahu laid the blame squarely on Hamas, accusing them of using “schools, mosques, and hospitals as terror command centers” and using civilians as human shields. He warned that the crimes committed by Hamas could extend beyond Gaza to affect locations worldwide, asserting that world leaders must condemn Hamas, which he referred to as “Hamas-ISIS,” and not Israel.

As the conflict unfolded, Israel reported the deaths of 1,200 of its citizens and the abduction of 240 people during the October 7 incursion by Hamas. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza appeared dire, with over 11,000 Palestinians killed, 27,490 wounded, and 1.5 million people displaced, according to local authorities. The French president’s statements highlight the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the contrasting viewpoints surrounding the situation. Macron’s appeal for a ceasefire and his concern for civilian casualties reflect broader international efforts to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. However, the dispute over responsibility for the violence underscores the persistent political and diplomatic tensions in the region.

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