'This fight against terrorism' is a 'matter of existence for all of us,' says French President Macron on Israel visit

French President Emmanuel Macron made a solidarity trip to Israel on Tuesday following the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror organization initiated an unprecedented surprise assault on Israel on Oct. 7. 

The French leader conveyed sympathy for Israel on behalf of his nation following a meeting with French-Israeli families of hostages being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

"We’re connected to Israel through our shared grief. Thirty of our fellow citizens were killed on Oct. 7. Nine others are still missing or held as captives. In Tel Aviv, together with their families, I conveyed France’s solidarity with Israel," Macron stated. 

The French leader also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Macron stressed the importance of releasing the more than 200 Israeli and international hostages currently held in Gaza. 

“The first objective we should have today is the release of all hostages, without any distinction, because this is an awful crime to play with these lives of children, adults, old people, civilians and soldiers,” the French president said. 

While Macron articulated support for Israel’s right to self-defense,he warned against a widening conflict with the powerful Iranian-backed Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah. 

“You can fight without hesitation,” Macron stated, “but without widening the conflict. A targeted operation is essential.”

Like many world leaders, Macron is concerned that if the conflict expands, it would undermine France's national interests across the Middle East and potentially beyond. Paris feels a specific affinity with Lebanon, which was a French mandate for over two decades until the small Middle Eastern formally gained its independence in 1943. 

Israel has signaled it is not interested in widening the conflict despite repeated provocations by Hezbollah and its shelling of northern Israeli communities and IDF border positions. However, Israel has warned it will respond harshly if Hezbollah escalates the conflict by opening a second front.

During his meeting with Macron, Herzog warned that the Iranian regime is “playing with fire” on the Lebanese-Israeli border. 

“If Hezbollah will drag us into war, it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price. Lebanon cannot be a sovereign member of the international community, its citizens carrying a Lebanese passport, but when it comes to attacking Israel, they are not responsible.” Herzog warned. 

Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat recently warned that the Jewish state could target Iranian leaders if Hezbollah joins Hamas in its war against Israel.

During his meeting with Netanyahu, Macron stressed that Hamas poses an existential threat to Israel, as well as the entire free world.

“This fight against terrorism is obviously a matter of existence for Israel, but it’s a matter of existence for all of us,” the French leader told Netanyahu during a press conference in Jerusalem. 

Macron added that he believes the free world should establish an international coalition against Hamas and other terror forces. 

“I consider that it is an international coalition in order to fight against this terror group that we have to build.” 

Netanyahu thanked Macron for France’s support and said the Hamas threat constitutes a test for the entire free world, because "Hamas barbarism not only threatens the Jews, it threatens the Middle East, it threatens the region, it threatens Europe, it threatens the world. Hamas is the test case of civilization against barbarism."

Macron's visit to Israel comes after several solidarity visits to the Jewish state made by U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia  Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

All visiting Western leaders have expressed support for the Jewish state and its right to defend herself.