From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Macron tells Herzog priority is release of all hostages
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Greeting French President Emmanuel Macron, President Isaac Herzog says, “We are committed to overcome, and we are committed to destroying our enemies.”
“The situation is extremely complicated and fragile,” says Herzog, stressing that “we are demanding the full and immediate release of all our citizens.”
“There is no difference between Israeli citizens and someone who holds another citizenship,” says the president, after reports emerged that dozens of hostages with foreign citizenship could be released.
Herzog also says Iran is “playing with fire” in Lebanon.
“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.”
Speaking in English, Macron says, “The first objective should be the release of all hostages without any distinction.”
“I want to make sure you are not left alone in this war on terrorism,” he continues, “because I speak on behalf of a country which experienced terrorist attacks, and you were there. And I think this is our duty to fight against this terrorism, without any confusion, without enlarging the conflict.”
Macron says France has warned Hezbollah against escalation.
"What happened will never be forgotten — and we will be here today, tomorrow and the day after for peace and stability. Because these people were killed just because they were Jewish and they wanted to live in peace." pic.twitter.com/CdJZvQ316n
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) October 24, 2023
Macron says France has passed along messages to “other terrorist organizations.”
He adds that is is necessary to carry out “targeted operations.”
Macron met with families of kidnapped Israelis earlier in the day, and is slated to meet with Netanyahu after Herzog.
He is meeting with war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid later in the day, before heading to Ramallah.
He flies home in the evening.
The Times of Israel Community.