Summary Macron visits Israel, to travel to Jordan later
Proposes that anti-Islamic State coalition fights Hamas
JERUSALEM, Oct 24 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron proposed on Tuesday that an international coalition fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria widens its scope to include the fight against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Macron gave no details on how the U.S.-led coalition of dozens of countries, of which Israel is not a member, could be involved. His advisers said, however, that the coalition's participation would not necessarily imply boots on the ground, but could include intelligence-sharing.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Macron stressed that France and Israel shared terrorism as their "common enemy".
"France is ready for the international coalition against Daesh in which we are taking part for operations in Iraq and Syria to also fight against Hamas," he told reporters, referring to Islamic State.
Macron, who warned against the risks of a regional conflict, also said the fight against Hamas "must be without mercy but not without rules".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly comment on Macron's proposal but said the fight was a battle between the "axis of evil" and "the free world".
"This battle is not merely our own... it's everybody's battle," he said.
The U.S-led coalition fighting Islamic State was formed in September 2014.
[1/3]French President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hands with Israel's President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Israel to show France's solidarity with the country and further work on the release of hostages who are being held in Gaza. ... Acquire Licensing Rights Read more
Macron's office said the idea was to draw inspiration from the coalition and that France was available to discuss with Israel and partners what could be relevant against Hamas.
"The international coalition against Daesh does not limit itself to operations on the ground, but is also involved in the training of Iraqi forces, the sharing of information between partners, and the fight against terrorism funding," it said.
Careful to strike a balance, Macron also met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he said the Hamas attack was not only traumatic for Israel, it was a disaster for the Palestinian people.
"A Palestinian life is worth a French life, which is a worth an Israeli life," Macron said, repeating the need for a two-state solution he said was necessary so Palestinians don't follow the "mirages of the most radical terrorist groups."
Abbas, who said France's voice was respected in the region, called for an immediate cessation of the "aggression" on Gaza and for protection for Palestinians.
However, some protesters took to Ramallah's streets to demonstrate against Macron's visit and burned pictures of him. 'Macron, stop your support for Israel,' read one of the banners.
Thirty French citizens were killed by Hamas militants in their attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, in which more than 200 people were seized and 1,400 people killed. The Palestinian health ministry says Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed over 5,000 people since then.
The French president, who met families of French victims at Tel Aviv airport, said freeing nine French hostages was a priority for France.
He was due to meet regional leaders in Jordan's capital Amman on Tuesday.
Additional reporting by Tassilo Hummel, Michael Georgy and Oma Abdel-Razek; Writing by Michel Rose and Ingrid Melander in Paris; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Mike Harrison, Robert Birsel, Alison Williams and Rod Nickel
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Dark1000 on October 24th, 2023 at 15:33 UTC »
What an extraordinarily dumb idea. I'm sorry, but there's just no other way to put this.
On the other hand, some kind of regional administrative and peacekeeping force to provide security and rule of law in Gaza, while providing basic services makes a lot more sense.
sheytanelkebir on October 24th, 2023 at 13:15 UTC »
The anti isis coalition would be predominantly the Iraqi army and its popular mobilisation units, as well as iraqi army aviation. Is he expecting them to come under idf command ?
derelictfortress on October 24th, 2023 at 12:49 UTC »
If this article is true, Macron is a moron. He can't form his little coalition without support from the Arab world. The Arab countries opposed ISIS because it was a threat to everyone. Hamas, even after the uprising, still enjoys a (miniscule) degree of political legitimacy. Their offices abroad haven't been shut down yet, and they're still being negotiated with.
Like Bitar said in the article, the Arab world sees Macron as a two faced tyrant, not just because of his ban on Palestinian demonstrations, but also the many laws France has introduced which specifically target its Muslim population. It may have a chance if someone like Biden puts it together, but Macron is a no.