for François Hollande, the time has come to organize “a tribute” for the French killed on October 7

The former President of the Republic was the guest of Franceinfo’s “8h30”.

“Yes”it is time to organize a national tribute for the French victims of the attack of October 7, believes François Hollande, Monday November 27 on franceinfo. “Any French person who dies in a terrorist attack, anywhere, must have recognition”, adds the former head of state. According to him, “what can be done now is to post photos of these 40 victims [françaises] terrorism”.

“Should this tribute take place immediately? That is up to the President of the Republic to answer”, he judges. Emmanuel Macron assured Monday November 13 that a tribute would be paid to the French victims as soon as “their number and identity” would be “established with certainty”.

Too late, for some political leaders. “I am surprised that, for 45 days, no national tribute has been organized”, the leader of the National Rally (RN) deputies, Marine Le Pen, was indignant on November 23 on France Inter. A feeling shared beyond the political sphere. “We don’t talk about these 40 compatriots? There are eight French people, Jews too, but French first, who are being held hostage. We don’t talk about them, we don’t consider them, why? Because They are Jewish before being French? No, they are French”declared host Arthur, the same day on France Inter.

“I don’t believe there is any distinction made by the French”believes François Hollande. “It’s a matter of mobilization. It’s not because it’s far away that it doesn’t concern us”, he emphasizes. Proof, “When there was the crisis in Syria, when there was the rise of Daesh, many said ‘but it won’t happen here’, and it happened here”.

“It’s Iran that decides”

The former President of the Republic also returned to the releases of hostages held by Hamas, since Friday November 24, as part of an agreement negotiated by Qatar, with the support of the United States and the ‘Egypt. “It’s not Qatar that makes the list, it’s Hamas that makes the list” freed hostages, and “It’s Iran that also decides, since Iran is directly linked to Hamas.”

“This kind of selection is unbearable”, “terrible”he is indignant, and “the wait, endless for families”. New releases of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, in exchange, are expected this Monday, the fourth and last day of truce in the Gaza Strip. At this stage, no French people have been released.

During the night from Sunday to Monday, Hamas, in power in the Palestinian enclave since 2007, said “seek to extend the truce beyond its four days”, with the aim of “increasing the number of prisoners released”. “If Hamas wanted to extend the truce, it would just have to continue releasing hostages,” underlines François Hollande.