In an interview on British television, the French president urged an end to the bombing of Gaza. Comments which provoked virulent reactions from Israel and which forced the head of state to clarify his position.
A precarious balance. Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7, Emmanuel Macron has navigated between condemnations of Hamas’ terrorist acts and calls for an end to the bombings on Gaza. Interviewed by the BBC, Friday November 10, the President of the Republic “urged Israel to stop” bombings that kill civilians. Words which caused the Israeli government to react and which forced the head of state to clarify his remarks. Franceinfo returns to this controversy in three acts.
What did Emmanuel Macron say?
In an interview given to the British channel,he French head of state urged “Israel to stop” bombings killing civilians in Gaza. “We share the pain [d’Israël]. And we share their desire to get rid of terrorism.”he assures in the preamble, before stating his accusation.
“De facto, today, civilians are being bombed. These babies, these women, these elderly people are being bombed and killed.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republicon the BBC
According to him, there is “no justification” to these bombings. “It is extremely important for all of us, because of our principles, because we are democracies. It is important, in the medium and long term, as well as for the security of Israel itself, to recognize that all lives matter”he adds.
The head of state reiterated that he did not subscribe to the idea that the best way for Israel to “to protect yourself [serait] to carry out a massive bombardment of Gaza”who creates according to him “resentment and bad feelings”. Emmanuel Macron also assured that he could not comment on a possible violation of international law by Israel: “I am not a judge, I am a head of state.”
VSAs he had already announced during his peace conference on Thursday and Friday, Emmanuel Macron nevertheless recalled that Israel’s reaction “must comply with international rules of war and international humanitarian law..
What is Israel’s reaction?
Israel was quick to react to this interview. The words of the French head of state “caused much pain and annoyance to Israel”, the Israeli presidency said on Saturday. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, was much more virulent towards Emmanuel Macron. “Responsibility for any harm done to civilians lies with Hamas”he defended himself during a televised speech.
Emmanuel Macron has “made a serious factual and moral error”reacted the head of the Israeli government, assuring that “it is not Israel which is preventing the evacuation of civilians, but Hamas” whom he accuses of using civilians as “human shields”. “It’s a war, it couldn’t be more justified. We must establish a moral line: we cannot offer immunity to terrorists”added the Israeli Prime Minister.
“We are doing everything to limit uninvolved civilian casualties, but we will not give Hamas permission to kill our population without a response from us.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Ministerat a press conference
“The crimes that Hamas is committing today in Gaza will be committed tomorrow in Paris, in New York and everywhere in the world”warned the head of government, quoted by the daily Haaretz. Benjamin Netanyahu concluded that he did not have “no need for these moral lessons”a theme taken up by Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Minister of Defense. “I wonder where this confidence comes from to lecture us in the middle of fighting”declared the latter quoted by The echoes.
How was the Elysée justified?
Faced with the controversy aroused in Israel, Emmanuel Macron picked up his phone to call Isaac Herzog, the president of the Hebrew state, and clarify his comments. “President Macron has made clear that he does not intend to accuse Israel of intentionally harming innocent civilians in the campaign against the terrorist organization Hamas”, noted the Israeli presidency. The head of state assured that his comments to the BBC “concerned the humanitarian situation, which remains an important issue for him and for many countries”she added.
According to the Israeli presidency, Emmanuel Macron “also stressed that he unequivocally supported Israel’s right and duty to defend itself and expressed support for Israel’s war against Hamas”. For its part, the Elysée reaffirmed that “Israel’s right to defend itself” And “France’s solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism”. The French president “recalled, once again, that this fight must be conducted in compliance with international humanitarian law and taking into account the protection of civilian populations”advances the Elysée.