Key quotes from President Macron's TV speech to France about Hamas
The president warned of internal divisions within French society saying he was aware that the Israel-Palestine conflict had not escaped the country
Mr Macron addressed the country on October 12 in an 11-minute long televised speech
Obatala-photography / Shutterstock
President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation yesterday at 20:00 in a televised 11-minute long speech about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
He condemned the attack by Palestinian Islamic fighters Hamas on Israel on Saturday and offered condolences and support to the Israeli government. Thirteen French people are reported to have died, the highest death toll in an attack suffered by France since that of Nice in 2016.
The president warned of internal divisions within French society and political parties, saying he was aware that the Israel-Palestine conflict had not escaped France.
“Let us not fight ideological warfare at home, either by imitation or projection,” he said. “Let us not add, due to illusion or for political gain, national fractures to international ones.”
We analyse three other quotes from his speech.
‘Hamas is a terrorist organisation’
Quote: “There can be no ‘yes but..’. France condemns with the strongest firmness these atrocious acts. Let us say it clearly: Hamas is a terrorist organisation.”
Mr Macron’s sentence openly addresses one of the major points of contention in French politics: how to describe Hamas.
It follows comments from far-left La France Insoumise MP Mathilde Panot, who shunned a question at a press conference asking her whether she considered Hamas to be a terrorist organisation.
MPs from several right-wing parties walked out of the Assemblée nationale in protest at her perceived non-answer.
Her comments reactivated tensions among left-wing MPs in the Nupes coalition and raised questions about whether the Socialist party should remain within it.
The La France Insoumise situation echoes that of UK Labour politician Jeremy Corbyn, who avoided answering yes or no when asked whether he condemns the attack from Hamas, as shown by British television Channel 4.
“Those who confuse the Palestinian cause with the justification of terrorism make a moral, political and strategic fault,” said Mr Macron, in veiled criticism of La France Insoumise.
‘Conditions for lasting peace’
Quote: “The conditions for lasting peace are known: Indispensable guarantees for the security of Israel and a state for the Palestinians. That is the line France will defend constantly.”
With this phrase, Mr Macron has aligned himself word-to-word with Olivier Faure, president of the Socialist party at the Assemblée nationale, who requested the same requirements in a speech before MPs.
Right-wing parties have, however, said that they agree with this statement as well, and have only disagreed on how severe the response should be to Hamas.
Far-right Rassemblement National leader Marine Le Pen said that “Israel should be allowed to eradicate Hamas”. She has also said that she is in favour of the evacuation of all Palestinians into neighbouring nation Egypt. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahou has said similar.
In contrast, the Communist party and LFI have argued for a ceasefire.
Security on French soil
Quote: “It is our duty, as well, to stay united as a nation and a Republic. It is that shield of unity that will protect us from spreading unrest, downward spirals, and all hate.”
With these sentences, Mr Macron is addressing the situation within France itself, especially areas that have high numbers of Muslim and Jewish residents.
The president organised a meeting with party leaders yesterday at the Elysée Palace, in a bid to address and limit the risk of contagion within France. All agreed that the priority was for hostages to be released on both sides. However, this was the only point on which all parties agreed, reported the Le HuffPost.
It follows reports of increasing antisemitism in France in the wake of the heightened tensions.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has said that there have been more than 100 antisemitic acts reported by law enforcement services since Hamas’ attack amid concerns of the possibility of more organised attacks in France.
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