France Honors Victims of Hamas Attack in Solemn Paris Ceremony
France on Wednesday held a solemn tribute at the Invalides memorial complex in Paris for the 42 French citizens killed in the Hamas attack on Israel, and the three others still missing, presumed held hostage. The ceremony, attended by the victims’ families who were flown in on a special flight, featured photographs of each French victim displayed with their names.
In his address, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the October 7 attack as an act of “barbarism” fueled by antisemitism and pledged France’s unwavering commitment to combat antisemitism and secure the release of the three French nationals still held in Gaza. The ceremony also symbolically included 42 empty chairs representing the lives lost.
Although Israeli President Isaac Herzog could not attend due to scheduling conflicts, representatives from the Israeli Embassy were present. The event underscored the deep emotions stirred by the attack, which saw around 250 hostages taken by terrorists, with 132 remaining in Gaza, including at least 28 believed to be deceased.
Controversy surrounded the ceremony, particularly concerning the attendance of members from the France Unbowed (LFI) party, criticized by some families for not sufficiently condemning the attack or labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization. The French government, maintaining protocol, invited all members of parliament, leaving attendance to individual discretion.
Additionally, the LFI has advocated for a similar tribute to French victims of Israeli bombings in Gaza, with a presidential official indicating that such a memorial would be organized separately, emphasizing equal dignity and remembrance for all French victims of the conflict.
