France's Macron wants international coalition against Hamas
World
France's Macron wants international coalition against Hamas
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron proposed on Tuesday that an international coalition fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria widens its scope to include the fight against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Macron gave no details on how the U.S.-led coalition of dozens of countries, of which Israel is not a member, could be involved. His advisers said, however, that the coalition's participation would not necessarily imply boots on the ground, but could include intelligence-sharing.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Macron stressed that France and Israel shared terrorism as their "common enemy".
"France is ready for the international coalition against Daesh in which we are taking part for operations in Iraq and Syria to also fight against Hamas," he told reporters, referring to Islamic State.
Macron, who warned against the risks of a regional conflict, also said the fight against Hamas "must be without mercy but not without rules".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not directly comment on Macron's proposal but said the fight was a battle between the "axis of evil" and "the free world".
"This battle is not merely our own... it's everybody's battle," he said.
The U.S-led coalition fighting Islamic State was formed in September 2014.
Macron's office said the idea was to draw inspiration from the coalition and that France was available to discuss with Israel and partners what could be relevant against Hamas.
"The international coalition against Daesh does not limit itself to operations on the ground, but is also involved in the training of Iraqi forces, the sharing of information between partners, and the fight against terrorism funding," it said.
Careful to strike a balance, Macron also met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he said the Hamas attack was not only traumatic for Israel, it was a disaster for the Palestinian people.
"A Palestinian life is worth a French life, which is a worth an Israeli life," Macron said, repeating the need for a two-state solution he said was necessary so Palestinians don't follow the "mirages of the most radical terrorist groups."
Abbas, who said France's voice was respected in the region, called for an immediate cessation of the "aggression" on Gaza and for protection for Palestinians.
However, some protesters took to Ramallah's streets to demonstrate against Macron's visit and burned pictures of him. 'Macron, stop your support for Israel,' read one of the banners.
