Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, said on Tuesday that Iran’s praising comments for Hamas’ attack on Israel was unacceptable and that Paris was looking into establishing whether it was directly involved in attacks.
In a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Macron said, “I have no comment to make about the direct involvement of Iran for which we have no formal proof, but it’s clear that the public comments by Iranian authorities were unacceptable … and that it is likely that Hamas was offered help,” Macron said.
He added, “But I will remain careful on that point until we have stabilized intelligence.”
Macron and Scholz both emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself against assaults on its territory.
Macron said, “I hope the next days will allow Israel to put an end to any attack against Israel’s territory and free the hostages.”
When France’s President was asked whether Europe should end all financial aid to Palestinians in response to Hamas’ attack on Israel last weekend, Macron declined, saying: “One must not confound the fight against terrorism with the most essential humanitarian rights to support the civilian population.”
