President Macron of France calling for humanitarian pauses in Gaza leading to a ceasefire - we can’t fight terrorism by bombing ladies, babies and old people
Transcription of an interview with president Macron of France.
You can watch it here followed by commentary on the BBC:
Video: French President Macron calls on Israel to stop killing Gaza's women and babies – BBC News
TRANSCRIPT
We've had weeks of age organizations sounding the alarm about Gaza. So you have now said that humanitarian pauses in fighting are not enough and there needs to be work towards a ceasefire. Are you disappointed that other world leaders aren't joining you in that call like the US or the UK.
No I hope they will. And let's be clear. I was one of the first leaders to call the prime minister of Israel after the terrorist attack on 7th October. We clearly condemned this terrorist attack and recognized the right of Israel to protect itself and react. But day one we said that this reaction, this fight against terrorism because it is lead by democracy should be compliant with international rule of war and humanitarian international law. And day after day what we saw is permanent bombing of civilians in Gaza. We worked very hard to try to protect our peopel there becuase inevitably we lost more than 40 French nationals. We still have hostages, when I speak about that, first I think about our families. But what happened during the past weeks is that we clearly saw that a lot of civilians were killed and there is nojustification for that.
And the clear conclusion of everybody yesterday during the humanitarian conference, from the United Nations to NGOs to all the governments present is that there is no other solution than first a humanitarian pause going to a ceasefire which will allow to protect these people to take care of people in hospitals and to protect babies, ladies, old people, all the civilians having nothing to do with the terrorists. I think it is very improtant to see the whole story. But I think this is the only solution we have, this ceasefire. Because it is impossible to explain, we want to fight against terrorism by killing innnocent people.
As you say president Macron you've been very clear from the beginning about Israel's right to defend itself. You've talked about the fight against terrorism needing to be mercileses, is the word you used, but not without rules. And you just referrred there to the high loss of civilian life in Gaza. You've got the United Nations Secretary General saying Gaza is turning intou a graveyard for children. Do you think Israel is respecting those rules, the international rules you are referring to?
Look in the very first days it is clear that the emotion,the compassion, created a situation where everybody was just close to Israel and backing them and sharing the pain. And we do share their pain and we do share their willingneses to get rid of terrorism. We know what terrrorism means in France.
But I think there is no justification precisely to attack civilians. There is no justification to make a distinction between the different lives. Palestinian lives do matter. And very clearly today, this humanitarian rules are not properly resepected. This is why I do call for this immedfiate humanitarian pause and a rapid ceasefire. Precisely to protect civilians.
Second, protection of people. This is why we do need this pause and this is to prepare the ceasefire and we do need concrete action in Gaza but as well in tne West Bank becaus etoday we have settlers killing a dozen people and becuase as well you have a big economic and financial situaiton in the West back which joepardizes a lot of lives also.
And third politicla answer. Because we know the solution, the two state approach. We know the different and treaties haviung decided such an approach. Just it was not impemeented. And I thinik if we forget this political pillar we miss a critical point because there is a legitimate aspiration of Palestinian people to get a state and proper territory.
Q. ARe you sahing that Israel is guilty of breaking internaitonal humanitarian law, potential war crimes?
I think it is not the proper way to approach the questions. We do recognize the right to protect themselves. We do contest the fact that the better way to protect yourself is having large bombing of Gaz.
We are ready to cooperate to target terrorists and terrorist groups to help in order to fight against terror. But we do urge them to stop this bombing.
And it is not time to look at responsibilities and so on. And one month after this terrorist attack I think it would be not the right way to deal with a partner and friend just to say you will be condemned and you are guilty. De facto today civilians are bombed. De facto babies, ladies, old people are bombed and killed. There is no reason for that and no legitimacy.
So we do urge Israel to stop.
I'm not a judge, I'm a head of state. I think it is time for a ceasefire, for a humanitarian ceaseifre. I think it is good for Israel. I think for the security of Israel. They should not have millions of Palestinian people or people in the region with this image. Living with that. Because they are just prep resentment and bad feelings.
I am not a judge, I don't condemn or say right or wrong regarding international law. I just remind everybody of international law and I call for a ceasefire and I urge them for a humanitarian ceasefire.
The full program is here:
President Macron of France sits down with the BBC's Europe Editor, Katya Adler, at the Élysée Palace in Paris. They discuss Europe's response to wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and President Macron's attempts to keep world leaders focused on the biggest challenges of our time - from climate change to the dangers of new technology.