London and Macron are condemning the killing of Gaza babies and women by Israel.
Israel must stop killing babies and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was “no justification” for the bombing.
He also said that a ceasefire would benefit Israel.
While recognizing Israel’s right to protect itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza, he said.
But he also stressed that France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas.
France – like Israel, the US, the UK, and other Western nations – considers Hamas a terrorist organization.
When asked if he wanted other leaders – including in the US and the UK – to join his calls for a ceasefire.
He replied: “I hope they will.”
After a month of Israeli bombardment and nearly two weeks after Israel launched a major ground offensive into the territory.
Gaza’s health ministry said on Friday that Israeli attacks killed 11,078 people, while 1.5 million had fled their homes.
Speaking the day after a humanitarian aid conference in Paris about the war in Gaza.
Mr Macron said the “clear conclusion” of all governments and agencies present at that summit was:
“There is no other solution than first a humanitarian pause, going to a ceasefire, which will allow [us] to protect… all civilians having nothing to do with terrorists”.
“De facto – today, civilians are bombed – de facto.
These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed.
So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop.”
He said it was not his role to judge whether international law had been broken.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu response to Macron
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly to Mr Macron’s comments, saying nations should condemn Hamas, not Israel.
Starting by discussing Gaza, Mr Macron said France “clearly condemns” Hamas’s attacks on Israel on 7 October which sparked the war.
Hamas gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took 240 others hostage in its unprecedented cross-border assault it launched that day.
“We do share [Israel’s] pain. And we do share their willingness to get rid of terrorism. We know what terrorism means in France.”
But he said there was “no justification” for the ongoing bombing of civilians in Gaza.
“It’s extremely important for all of us because of our principles, because we are democracies.
It’s important for the mid-to-long run as well for the security of Israel itself, to recognize that all lives matter.”
When asked, he refused to say that Israel had broken international law in Gaza.
“I’m not a judge. I’m a head of state,” he said, adding it would not be right to criticize Israel in this way ..
“A partner and a friend” – just a month after it was attacked.
Saying it was creating “resentment and bad feelings” in the region that would prolong the conflict.
Israel has said it will start daily four-hour military pauses in parts of northern Gaza as it continues its offensive.
Its defense minister however stressed the pauses would be “localized” and would “not detract from the war fighting”.
Condemn antisemitism ‘without ambiguity’
Ahead of a march against antisemitism on Sunday which a large section of France’s political class will attend.
President Macron called on all French citizens to condemn antisemitic acts “without ambiguity”.
He said France had probably Europe’s biggest Muslim community and a big Jewish community too.
Also with France and the rest of Europe seeing a big rise in antisemitism, all French citizens had to be united against antisemitism.
And had to “share the pain or the compassion of Palestinians”.
The largest march in London so far against Gaza war.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central London to march in solidarity with Palestine, chanting “Stop bombing Gaza” and “Ceasefire now”.
Metropolitan police said about 300,000 people attended the pro-Palestine march.
Which wound its way from Hyde Park to the US embassy about 5km (3 miles) away.
The “National March for Palestine” on Saturday is the latest in a series of rallies in the British capital to show support for the Palestinians.
Since Israel started the bombardment over Gaza Strip following Palestinian group Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7.
Moreover, the march took place as right-wing counter protesters clashed with police after a week of angry debate over whether to permit the event in support of Palestinians to take place on Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War I and commemorates those killed in military action.
Police said 82 counter protesters were arrested to “prevent a breach of the peace”.
Watch: Massive crowds in London demand ceasefire
Aerial and ground footage of the biggest pro-Palestinian rally in London – UK since the Israel-Gaza war began.
