Alexis Delafontaine, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: CHRISTOPHE ENA / POOL / AFP
This Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron went to Tel Aviv to meet families of the victims before meeting with the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog and then the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. During his visit, the President of the Republic suggested the creation of an “international coalition” which was not unanimously supported.
A visit well received by the French political class? This Tuesday, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, traveling to Israel to express his solidarity, called not to “expand the conflict” between the Israeli army and Hamas. On site, the head of state considered that the release of the hostages was the priority. Furthermore, he proposed an “international coalition” to fight against this terrorist group. In France, the president’s speeches are not really unanimous.
“At the same time”
Only Emmanuel Macron’s reaffirmation of a two-state solution achieves consensus. On the other hand, his proposal for an international coalition against terrorism is divisive. For the socialist Philippe Brun, it is the return of the famous “at the same time”. “There were both very accurate words from the President of the Republic upon his arrival and also a rather misunderstood declaration. A sort of ‘and at the same time’. He is at the same time Gaullo-Mitterrandist and American neo-conservative “We will soon have to choose”, he insists at the microphone of Europe 1.
Be careful, words have a precise meaning in diplomacy. The “war on terrorism” by the return of the coalition against Daesh means France is participating in the war against Hamas. Or ? When ? In Gaza? NOW ? So where is the ceasefire. This point in Macron’s speech…
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) October 24, 2023
The right more favorable
But this proposal appeals to the right, like the National Rally deputy Franck Allisio. “Hamas is a terrorist movement, yes. So we must fight against Hamas as a terrorist movement. This reminds me of a proposal that Marine Le Pen has been defending for years, notably during the last presidential election, by wanting to give NATO the mission also of the fight against Islamist terrorism”, remembers the MP. The Republicans say they are in favor of any initiative against Hamas.