Families, the presence of politicians, “Kaddish” by Ravel… What will the tribute to the French victims of October 7 look like?

It will be four months to the day, Wednesday, February 7, that Hamas attacks took place in Israel. This is the date, chosen by the Elysée, to pay national tribute to the 42 French victims who perished on October 7. The ceremony will be held from noon to 1 p.m., at the Hôtel National des Invalides, in the heart of Paris, in the presence of 1,000 people, including 150 representatives of the victims’ families.

The president will first lay a wreath at the monument in memory of the victims of terrorism before the public tribute to the Invalides. The presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, party leaders in particular will be invited. On the other hand, neither the Prime Minister nor the Israeli president will be present officially due to current events.

“It is France that will pay tribute to its children”

This tribute will begin with the entry, into the courtyard of honor of Les Invalides, of portraits of the victims, with the only inscription being their first name and age, before a speech by Emmanuel Macron. And while families have asked the president that the presence of rebels be prohibited, the Elysée recalls the protocol and specifies: “It is up to the said parties to decide, in conscience, what is fair and elegant.. Manuel Bompard, the coordinator of France Insoumise, decided to go there.

The Élysée also emphasizes the republican character of this ceremony: “It is France that will pay tribute to its children.” Children of the Republic and victims of Jewish faith. Symbol of this mixture of destinies: the Kaddish by Maurice Ravel, a Jewish prayer composed by a Frenchman, could be chosen to accompany the exit of the procession of portraits.