Many people gathered in Marseille this Monday, October 7, at Place du Général de Gaulle before a silent march towards the Palais de Justice where speeches took place. This was to pay tribute to all the victims of the massacre of October 7, 2023 perpetrated by the Islamist terrorists of Hamas and their accomplices. To call for the immediate release of all hostages. To express solidarity with the people of Israel in an existential war. To denounce the unleashing of anti-Semitic hatred.
Present, Philippe Lellouche, actor and director, admits to not being very religious but, “on October 7 something woke up in me.” “I thinkhe continues, that since then we have been different.» Observes: « A year ago today we were very alone so, today, I have tears in my eyes to see us all together with the victims, the hostages “. Then to say: “We Jews do not have variable geometry grief. We are sad for all the victims including the collaterals of this war “. Philippe Lellouche will conclude his speech by wishing: “That we can still say French and Jewish and non-Jewish and previously French ».
Mehdi, a Protestant, is a member of the Shalam association which was created in the Mirail district of Toulouse. “ We work to support Israel and reconcile the children of Abraham. I therefore call on all the children of Ishmael to recognize the children of Isaac “. He specifies: “ Being for Israel is not being against the Arabs, it is being for peace. We, sons of Ishmael, must recognize the history, the place of the Jewish people and their land. Jerusalem is the city of David and Israel the only democracy in the Middle East “. To finally pronounce: “for the immediate release of the hostages and for the security of Israel and for the liberation of the Arab and Persian peoples ».
Renaud Muselier, the president of the South region, remembers with emotion: “ A few weeks before October 7 we were in Israel with a delegation to strengthen our partnership, particularly on water. We were in a friendly country, proud and happy to live. We were lulled by the agreements of Abraham and… October 7 arrived. For what ? What meaning can this have if not to promote barbarity? “. Consider that today “ we are in a phase of extremely violent war where what is at stake is the survival of Israel, of a way of life. Hamas and Hezbollah are weakened but do not want peace. The time for diplomacy will come later, but for that the hostages must first be released. “. Renaud Muselier declares: “ My support for Israel is total. I have always chosen democracy over dictatorships “. And to announce that the flag of Israel will now fly over the Regional Hall.
Martine Vassal, the president of Aix-Marseille Provence metropolis and Department 13 denounced: “ Some want to destroy Israel. They decided to take lives on October 7, thinking of weakening Israel, but Israel remained standing. And we will never forget October 7th. It is branded in our hearts “. A year has passed: There remain 101 hostages and Hamas and Hezbollah envy missiles on Israel every day. Which country would accept this? Person. So yes, we must give Israel the means to defend itself.»
PS/NFP deputy Laurent Lhardit speaks on behalf of the mayor of Marseille invited by Crif to participate in the national ceremonies in Paris: “ I read his message which I fully endorse: » On October 7 Israel was hit by a terrorist attack. Men, women, children died because they were Jews. It is the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. This crime has a name: anti-Semitism, this filthy beast which has caused so much harm. An anti-Semitism which is not residual and which is not the concern of the Jews because anyone who attacks a Jew attacks Marseille, the Republic” “. He signals that the city will continue to stand with the Jewish community to secure schools. And to demand in turn the unconditional release of the hostages.
Fabienne Bendayan, president of Crif Aix-Marseille, speaks on behalf of community institutions, the regional consistory, associations and collectives who called for this gathering. She in turn evokes October 7 “ an incredible brutality has disfigured lives but also all of humanity”. She mentions “ the Nova festival which celebrated life, joy, peace when, under the noise of the bullets, bodies fell. Hamas has made death its flag and innocence its target.» She also recalls the rapes, “ used as a weapon of war.” For her: “ Israel is waging an existential war imposed on it. It is that of civilization against barbarism, that of those who defend life against those who defend death. So we don’t have the luxury of indifference. France must be united with Israel, without compromise. » Then to insist on the fact that October 7 “ also liberated, particularly in France, anti-Semitism ».
Among the demonstrators we note the presence of Marc Pena, PS / NFP deputy of 11e Bouches-du-Rhône constituency: “ I wanted to be present at this moment of contemplation a year after the pogrom which, in barbarism, goes well beyond the 1,200 dead and 250 hostages. I am also here to express my support with the Jewish community of France, whose difficulties I know. I bring the support of an elected representative of the Republic to one of the oldest communities in France and which is here at home ».
Music, songs, readings of poems… and images of the terrorist attack of October 7 carried this powerful, moving ceremony.
Michel CAIRE
