The French president gave the interview after the first day of the Paris Peace Forum, an annual summit in the French capital
In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, asserting that there is “no justification” for the ongoing bombing that has resulted in the loss of lives, particularly among civilian populations including infants and women. Macron emphasized the need for a ceasefire, stating that it would be beneficial for Israel, while acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense. He urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza, underscoring the humanitarian imperative to protect civilians uninvolved in terrorist activities.
While recognizing Israel’s legitimate concerns for self-defense, Macron condemned the actions of Hamas as “terrorist” and highlighted that France, like other Western nations, considers Hamas a terrorist organization. He expressed hope for broader international support, encouraging leaders from the United States and the United Kingdom to join in calling for a ceasefire.
Providing context to the situation, Macron referenced a recent humanitarian aid conference in Paris focused on the Gaza conflict. He noted the unanimous conclusion among participating governments and agencies that a humanitarian pause leading to a ceasefire was imperative to safeguard civilians unrelated to terrorist activities. Macron refrained from passing judgment on whether international law had been violated, asserting that his role as a head of state precludes such assessments.
Responding to Macron’s statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that nations should condemn Hamas rather than Israel. He contended that the crimes committed by Hamas in Gaza could extend beyond the region, emphasizing the importance of addressing terrorism globally.
In addition to discussing the Gaza conflict, Macron touched upon concerns of violence spilling over from the Middle East into France, urging unity against antisemitism. He also addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing France’s duty to support Ukraine and the potential for diplomatic negotiations in the future. Macron further delved into the issue of online extremism, criticizing major platforms such as Meta and Google for their inadequacies in moderating hate speech. Additionally, he linked climate change to the rise of terrorism in certain regions, citing the effects of global warming on communities.
Concluding the interview, Macron underscored the need for international cooperation to address pressing global issues and expressed a sense of responsibility as head of state.
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