Netanyahu Calls, French President Gives Support And Condemns Hamas Rocket Attack On Israel

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron has not condemned Israeli airstrikes that killed Palestinians. Macron instead offered an 'unwavering attachment' to Israel's security.

This was conveyed by Macron in a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, May 14.

Reporting from Yenisafak on Saturday, May 15, Macron offered his condolences to Netanyahu and strongly condemned the rocket attack by Hamas on Israeli territory.

"He underlined the urgency to return to peace and expressed concern about the civilian population in Gaza," according to an Elysee Palace statement.

President Macron made a similar call to his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, May 13, when he offered his condolences for the loss of Many Palestinian civilians due to military operations and ongoing clashes with Israel.

Macron avoided condemning Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have killed more than 100 Palestinians.

France launched diplomatic initiatives with Germany, Egypt, and Jordan; and Macron has called for a ceasefire and dialogue to "end the ongoing violence".

Macron's government is facing criticism for its seemingly anti-Palestinian stance and refusal to condemn Israeli atrocities. The French Interior Ministry banned demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Paris.

That's because of fears of a repeat of the violent scenes that occurred during demonstrations in 2014. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reiterated that there would be no demonstrations of hatred and antisemitism in France.

The move was backed by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo who called the decision a wise move.

"I maintain that given the difficult and burning context, of the temptation we have always known to import the Israeli-Palestinian conflict here in France and Paris, I think it was a wise decision and I agreed to it", he said on Radio J.

The administrative court in Paris rejected a request for temporary relief against the ban imposed by the Palestinian Association in Île-de-France ahead of a demonstration scheduled for Saturday. Police refused permission on the grounds of the risk of "serious disturbance to public order".

Sefen Guez's lawyers said the court rejected the request without trial and the group moved the appeal to the highest administrative court. "France remains the only democratic country that prohibits these demonstrations", he said on Twitter. Several rallies were planned Saturday to mark Israel's declaration of independence and the so-called Palestinian exodus, Nakba. It is not known if permission for the rallies was granted.