French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly criticized Israel's military response to Hamas, stating that the fight against terrorism does not justify 'flattening Gaza'. Macron emphasized that 'we cannot let the idea take root' that such a response is acceptable and directed Israel 'to stop this response because it is not appropriate'. This statement follows Israel's actions after the October 7 attack by Hamas militants. Macron's remarks come amid a broader context of French foreign policy, with the French Foreign Affairs Minister expressing France's inability to accept Israel's construction of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), warning that 'measures will be taken'. Additionally, the President of the French National Assembly refused to hold a minute of silence 'today' for Ahmad Abu Shamla, a French-Palestinian diplomat killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Macron's position indicates a lack of consensus within France on the Israel-Gaza crisis, as noted by analysts.
Not necessarily someone whose judgement I would ordinarily trust. But on this point Macron is right. Fighting terrorism did not mean Israel had to ‘flatten Gaza’, says Emmanuel Macron https://t.co/m4UkoNw22Z
France’s Macron: Fighting terror does not mean ‘flattening Gaza’ https://t.co/WgmtirbAeG . Click to read ⬇️
French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Wednesday night that the fight against terrorism does not mean "flattening Gaza", referring to Israel's ongoing war against Hamas following the October 7 massacres. https://t.co/8qzrNqJEBJ
Wow, Macron seems to confirm that Israel is trying to "flatten Gaza". He said "we cannot let the idea take root that an efficient fight against terrorism implies to flatten Gaza" and told Israel “to stop this response because it is not appropriate". https://t.co/o89xBWim69 He…
BREAKING: France's president Macron says fighting terrorism does not mean 'to flatten Gaza'
Live update: Macron says fighting terror does not mean ‘to flatten Gaza’ https://t.co/M3qQY7HmGR . Click to read ⬇️
French President Emmanuel #Macron says that fighting terrorism does not mean “to flatten #Gaza”, referring to #Israel’s response to #Hamas militants' attack on October 7. https://t.co/MsD5C7UiUP
The President of the French National Assembly refused to hold a minute of silence today for Ahmad Abu Shamla, a French-Palestinian diplomat, who was killed a few days ago by Israel's military in #Gaza. https://t.co/aVzDsMougR
Emmanuel Macron’s behavior and positioning around the Israel-Gaza crisis reveal that there is no consensus in France on this issue, says @tara_varma. https://t.co/QHNMc3lNIe
French Foreign Affairs Minister says France "cannot accept" Israel's construction of illegal settlements in the OPT that "deprive [Palestinians] of their rights and land," threatening, "measures will be taken." #StopTradeWithSettlements https://t.co/I4AJtcpAx5