Netanyahu to Macron: The First Condition is Bringing Down Hamas

Macron: Returning the Captives is a Top Priority

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the Israeli People: “I want to thank you for the conversation we had. I am here to support and express solidarity for everything you went through. I have come to tell the Israeli people all the condolences for your nation. I feel your enormous pain, joyous life taken. Pure violence, broken families.”

He also said that “The things you experienced surpass anything ever heard before. There is pure hatred here. In 2015 you were with us in Paris, I express my solidarity back. Hamas also attacked us. This is shared history. We also had murdered and captives.”

Macron also addressed the issue of the hostages: “I met the families of the captives, I gave my support. We will do everything to bring them all back! In France this is a top priority. Israel has the right to defend itself.”

“Hamas are terrorists like ISIS and al-Qaeda. All the democracies are on your side to defeat the terrorists, you are not alone. We want an international coalition against terrorists throughout the world. We are democracies against terrorists.”

He ended by addressing the situation in Gaza and regional threats: “We are democrats who protect the population also in Gaza. Electricity needs to be restored to hospitals without it harming the war,” he said. According to Macron, “We will provide aid to the population. We are warning Yemen, Hezbollah not to take the risk to open up another conflict. We accept the need of the Palestinians for a state but on condition that Israel has security.”