During an address to the nation in light of attacks by Hamas in Israel on Saturday, October 7, French President Emmanuel Macron said that 13 French citizens have died in Israel in recent days. Macron also urged a "strong and fair" response by Israel to Hamas' attack. Condemning the assault, the French president said, "The security of Israel, the resolute fight to eradicate terrorism in the region and respect for the legitimate aspirations of all form for us [France] an indissociable whole."
Macron bowed that France would do everything to ensure the release of dozens of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group after its attack. "I want to say that we will do everything to ensure that these hostages, whatever their nationality, are released," he said, adding that France would work to this end both with "our partners" and the Israeli authorities. He emphasized the support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to all French nationals in Israel.
"Those who confuse the Palestinian cause with the justification of terrorism are committing a moral, political and strategic error," said Macron. He continued, "The fight against terrorism cannot replace the search for peace."
Macron said there was a need for unity in France, amid fears in France's Jewish community. "The Republic will be there to protect you," Macron addressed the Jewish community in France. He also recalled that "on Saturday, [he] asked the government to reinforce [measures] to protect schools, places of worship and culture."
France said it was banning all pro-Palestinian demonstrations after the bloody attack on Israel by Hamas, on the grounds such protests threaten public order. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a note to regional prefects that the demonstrations "are likely to generate disturbances to public order", adding that organizers should face arrest as well as any troublemakers.
In defiance of his order, several hundred people had gathered in the central Place de la Republique in Paris shouting pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli slogans, Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondents said.
Darmanin had told French media earlier that over 100 "anti-Semitic acts" had been recorded in France since the attack by Hamas on Israel on Saturday, with 24 people arrested. In his order to prefects, Darmanin also reiterated his request that foreigners guilty of any anti-Semitic offense or of advocating terrorism should have their residence permit "systematically withdrawn" and expelled "without delay" from France.