At the Crif dinner, did the government confuse France’s message on Israel and Gaza?

POLITICS – Parallel diplomacy? The government is singled out, in particular by the elected representatives of France Insoumise, after its participation in the Crif (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France) dinner on Thursday, May 6 in the evening. At issue: the remarks made by Gabriel Attal during this traditional meeting, but necessarily special this year.

Speaking in front of an audience of prestigious guests (Édouard Philippe, Élisabeth Borne or Manuel Valls, for the political cast), the Prime Minister denounced the resurgence of anti-Semitism in the country, and recalled his promise of a “ exemplary firmness in every action. » So far, no cause for controversy.

It is a sentence dropped at the turn of a development on October 7 which unleashes criticism. There she is : ” When we hear “, testimonies of Hamas terrorist attacks, ” it is difficult to hear the moral lessons of certain people, who are comfortable, who explain to Israeli society that they are overreacting. (…) It must have been difficult to hear the moral lessons of a people who suffered such an atrocity down to their very core. » A tirade greeted by loud applause from the audience.

But what do the detractors of the head of government accuse? The rebels, in any case, believe that this speech, and the use of the word “ overreaction “, is not acceptable at a time when the Israeli army – which has already caused more than 30,000 deaths in the Gaza Strip (mostly civilians), according to Hamas figures – seems determined to begin an offensive – so feared – on Rafah.

“ Daring to call a genocide an ‘overreaction’: it’s disgusting »

“ The Prime Minister covers, relativizes the ongoing genocide and insults those who denounce it », fulminates for example the national coordinator of France insoumise Manuel Bompard, estimating that “ it is the whole of France which is dishonored by such remarks “. Still on social networks, his colleague Aymeric Caron denounces a statement “ filthy » : « Daring to call a genocide an ‘overreaction’: it’s disgusting. »

In his wake, MP Sébastien Delogu highlighted the subject in the National Assembly this Tuesday afternoon by criticizing the words “ irresponsible, despicable, inhumane » from the tenant of Matignon: “ Is massacring 40,000 human beings, the majority of them women and children, an overreaction? “.

In addition, the Mélenchonist deputies support their offensive by also accusing Prisca Thevenot of having posed with Julien Bahloul. Present at this dinner, the government spokesperson actually appears in a selfie published by the former spokesperson for the Israeli army, now “ French-speaking voice of Israel » according to his own expression. “ Indecent », reply the rebels.

In this context, it is interesting to note, beyond the political attacks of the Melenchonist group, which has made the defense of the Palestinians its main campaign axis for the European elections, that the speech of the head of government differs somewhat little of the diplomatic language of France.

What does French diplomacy say?

On the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, Gabriel Attal, who spoke before the Representative Council of the country’s Jewish institutions, limited himself to recalling that France “ fights in the region for peace ” And ” to avoid escalation. » A statement seems less committed, if not precise, than that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the President of the Republic.

Since the fall, French diplomacy has indeed been working hard to point out that, if Israel has “ the right to defend oneself » according to the formula, the country must do so according to respect for “ IHL » articulated in several principles: “ distinction, necessity, proportionality and precaution to spare civilians. » There is no question here of “ overreaction “.

In an interview given to World At the beginning of March, Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné was harsh towards the response taken by the Jewish state. “ The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been catastrophic for several weeks, even months. And this creates indefensible and unjustifiable situations for which Israelis are accountable. », he growled. Just recently, on Sunday, Emmanuel Macron put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by reiterating “ its strongest opposition to an Israeli offensive on Rafah”, according to the Élysée press release.

Words – in vain – repeated by… Gabriel Attal this Tuesday afternoon in the Assembly. “Yes, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. And yes, civilians must always be spared”underlined the head of government, also criticizing the “selective indignation” on the subject. A clear message to the rebels. Some would say that it could also apply to Gabriel Attal on Monday evening.

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