With the security situation escalating, Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog met today with French President Emmanuel Macron.
At the start of the meeting, President Herzog stressed the tragedy the State of Israel had experienced and the importance of the issue of the captives. “The situation is highly complex and fragile. On the one hand, we demand the complete and immediate release of all our captive citizens – the immediate release – of those who as we saw experienced clear crimes against humanity,” he said.
According to Herzog, “We saw their suffering, young and old, 30 children Mister President, 30 children are out there, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists who committed one of the worst horrors in the modern age.”
Herzog: “There is no difference between an Israeli citizen and one who has another citizenship”
“There is no difference, not one, and I told this to the families themselves, between an Israeli citizen and all those who have another citizenship. In the end we are all citizens of Israel. All Israelis are one – soldiers, citizens, and those with dual foreign citizenship. They are all one, and we want them all back and immediately.”
The President also addressed the Lebanese border: “The Iranian evil empire which supports them and works daily to undermine stability in the Middle East and the region is playing with fire.”
According to him: “I want to clarify that we are not seeking a conflict on the northern border or with anyone else. We are focusing on destroying the infrastructure of Hamas and bringing our citizens home. But if Hezbollah drags us into a war, it needs to be clear that Lebanon will pay the price.”
“Lebanon cannot be a sovereign member in an international community whose citizens carry Lebanese passports, but when it comes to the strike on Israel, they aren’t responsible. We don’t see it that way. Not in any way. And according to international law, we have the full right to defend ourselves.”
Macron: “It is a crime to dismiss the lives of children, citizens, and soldiers”
French President Emmanuel Macron responded to Herzog and expressed sorrow for the terror attack. “What happened on October 7 was a terrible terror attack against your nation, your people, and against its rights, he said, adding that “it caused great shock throughout the world and in France in particular. I am here to express our solidarity today and in the future.”
Macron spoke of the captives issue and told of meeting with their families. “I met this morning with a number of families of captive citizens, I saw families who lost their children, their brothers, and a few more families who are waiting for their loved ones who are held hostage.”
“Our first goal that we all need to have is freeing all the captives without differentiation, because this is a terrible crime, to so mock the lives of children, adults, and all human beings – citizens and soldiers.”
The French leader then addressed the fight against Hamas. “I want to promise you that you are not alone in this war against terror. I speak here in the name of a country which experienced these terror attacks, unfortunately, and you were there for us in that period.”
According to him, “Our duty is to fight against these terror organizations, without any doubt and without expanding the conflict. I share your warnings, but you need to hit these terror organizations. It is necessary to organize targeted actions. We will do all we can to restore peace, security, and stability to your country and the whole region. This is why we sent messages also to other potential terror groups, who intend or wish to join this operation.”
Macron commented on the heating up of the northern front: “We warned Hezbollah very clearly. We delivered very clear messages, and we will continue to discuss the matter together. What happened – will never be forgotten, for sure. And we will be here today, tomorrow, and the day after, for peace and stability. These people were killed only because they were Jews and wanted to live their lives in peace.”
