French President Macron has suggested that the international coalition against IS also fight against Hamas. The experiences – such as the training of soldiers – should be used, he said during a visit to Tel Aviv.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the international coalition against the terrorist militia “Islamic State” (IS) should also target the Islamist Hamas. France is ready for this, he said after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. He believes this is in the interests of Israel and its security, but also of some neighboring countries that are threatened by the same or related groups.
The alliance against IS was founded in 2014 under the leadership of the USA. It includes Western and Arab states. Together with local groups, they managed to defeat the terrorist organization militarily in Iraq and later in Syria. However, IS continues to carry out attacks.
The Elysée Palace announced that the experience of the anti-terror alliance will now be used in the fight against Hamas. The anti-IS coalition trained soldiers, shared information and combated the financing of terrorism.
“The fight must be merciless, but not without rules”
Macron assured Netanyahu of France’s solidarity in the fight against terrorism. However, this should not extend to the entire region. “I here warn Hezbollah, the Iranian regime, the Houthis in Yemen and all groups that threaten Israel in the region not to take the irresponsible risk and open new fronts,” he said. “That would open the door to a regional conflagration in which everyone would be a loser.”
The French president also called for adherence to humanitarian principles in the fight against Hamas. “The fight must be merciless, but not without rules, because we are democracies that fight against terrorists, democracies that respect the laws of war and ensure humanitarian access.” Macron said democracies do not target civilians. He also called for hospitals in the Gaza Strip to be supplied with electricity.
Israel’s response must also be political
Macron spoke out in favor of a political solution to the Middle East conflict and a continuation of the peace process. “The stability of the region and the return to normalization will only be guaranteed if Israel’s response to the violence is relentless but also political by accepting the Palestinians’ legitimate right to a state.” Israel’s security, the common fight against terrorism, respect for humanitarian law and the opening of political horizons are inextricably linked. After his meeting with Netanyahu, Macron wanted to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Netanyahu thanked Macron: “As in World War II, when the Allies fully supported the French resistance against the Nazis, today the international community is uniting in support of Israel,” he said, again comparing Hamas’ actions to the Holocaust. Netanyahu also said Israel wants to do “everything possible to keep Palestinian civilians out of harm’s way.”