Macron highlights France’s commitment to fight terrorism over Christmas dinner with troops

French President Emmanuel Macron is celebrating Christmas with French troops while ‘highlighting France’s enduring commitment to the fight against terrorism’ while visiting an airbase in Jordan on Thursday and Friday, according to the Élysée Palace.

Before the Christmas dinner on Thursday, Macron spoke about the conflict between Israël and Hamas, the terrorist threat and the war in Ukraine.

“We cannot let Russia win. What’s next for us Europeans? So, we will continue to help the Ukrainians. What we do, even if it costs us, is decisive for our future security, for our role in Europe and for Europe’s sovereignty”, Macron told the 350 French soldiers.

Earlier that day, Macron met with Jordanian King Abdullah II, which was “an opportunity to review the work that we have in common with our Jordanian partners in terms of humanitarian and medical aid to the civilian population of Gaza”, according to the Élysée Palace.

Macron also reiterated the urgent need to establish a new truce immediately, leading to a permanent ceasefire, and stressed the need to work with all our partners to create the conditions for a return to peace and stability in the Middle East, said the Elysée.

On Wednesday, Macron reiterated France’s position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in an interview on France 5. “As the weeks go by, we cannot allow the idea to take hold that fighting terrorism effectively would mean razing everything in Gaza to the ground or indiscriminately attacking civilian populations and causing civilian casualties”, he said.

“That is why, while recognising Israel’s right to protect itself while fighting terrorism, we are calling for the protection of these people and for a truce leading to a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds”, he added.

(Clara Bauer-Babef | Euractiv.fr)

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