Macron Labels Hamas Attacks as 'Century's Largest Antisemitic Massacre'

  Midjourney

French President, Emmanuel Macron, has condemned the October 7th attacks by Hamas on Israel, characterizing them as the “biggest antisemitic massacre of our century.” The remarks were made as Macron led a tribute ceremony for the French victims of the attack. Macron rebuked the acts of the Palestinian militant group, describing them as “barbarism … which is fed by antisemitism and propagates it.”

Fighting Against Hatred

The French President firmly articulated his stance that “nothing can justify or excuse terrorism.” He urged for a battle against hatred and called for unity in the face of “rampant, unbridled antisemitism.” Macron also reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace and security in France and in the Middle East.

Honouring the Victims

The ceremony held at the Invalides memorial complex in Paris was the first major international memorial event outside Israel since the Hamas attacks four months prior. 42 French citizens killed in the attacks were commemorated, along with the three others who are still missing, believed to be held hostage. The event also celebrated the release of four French-Israeli hostages and six people who were injured during the attacks.

A Tribute Ceremony Amid Controversy

Despite the solemnity of the occasion, controversy arose over the attendance of certain politicians at the Paris ceremony. Some families of the French victims expressed their displeasure at seeing figures from Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s leftwing party, La France Insoumise, at the event, accusing the party of failing to adequately denounce the October 7th attacks and label Hamas a terror group.

Remembering the Gaza Bombings

In the aftermath of the Hamas attacks, Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 27,585 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The French presidency confirmed that a separate tribute will be paid to the French victims of the Israeli bombardments of Gaza, with the date for this event yet to be announced.

The Impact of the Attacks

Hamas’s attacks, which included a music festival and kibbutzim, claimed the lives of 1,200 people and resulted in about 250 hostages being taken. The ceremony in Paris sought to honour the victims and call for the release of the remaining hostages. The ceremony was broadcast live on a screen in Tel Aviv, resonating with audiences around the world.