Paris, 6 February 2024

Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, commends President Macron’s initiative to hold a solemn commemoration tomorrow for the victims of Hamas, in particular for the 42 French citizens murdered since 7 October.

In an open letter, Samuels stated, “We are aware that a delegation of the extreme-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) will be present at the National Homage, though most of their MPs still refuse to call Hamas a terrorist organization. Their mere presence will be painful for many grieving families... We therefore urge you to take all necessary measures to avoid them repeating the words of denial and relativism that have stained the Assemblée Nationale and the media over the past four months.”

The letter continued, “We are also aware that Islamists and pro-Palestinian militants could try to disrupt the ceremony, insulting the victims and their families, or threatening Jewish French citizens and all those present at the commemoration. The risk of antisemitic violence is higher than ever.”

At a 16 October nation-wide commemoration of teachers Samuel Paty (in 2020) and Dominique Bernard (on 13 October 2023), slaughtered by radicalized youth, over 500 students throughout France had contested the ceremony, implicitly expressing support for Jihadism and complicity with the Palestinian terrorist enterprise. Though many had been sanctioned and expelled from their schools, they represent a hateful fifth column against France and the principles it stands for.

“Mr. President, we call on you to lead each of the other 26 members of the European Union, to respect the memory of the over 1200 victims murdered and the dignity of those kidnapped, raped, tortured, wounded or traumatized by Hamas on 7 October.”

“We urge France to insist on the liberation of the remaining hostages, if there is any hope to begin defusing the conflict,” concluded Samuels.

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