“The CRIF has expressed concern regarding the remarks made by the President of the Republic in his interview with the BBC,” the umbrella organization for French Jewry said in a tweet on Saturday night. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Israel is killing women and children in Gaza, in an interview he gave to the BBC at his official residence.

“De facto – today civilians are being bombed,” Macron claimed. “These babies, these women, these old people are being bombed and killed. So there is no reason for it and no legitimacy. So we do plead with Israel to stop.”

Wave of antisemitism washes over France
French Jews, who have been suffering from a huge wave of antisemitism, added: “The CRIF would like to remind everyone of Hamas’s responsibility for the deaths of Palestinian civilians. Hamas has not only dragged these civilians into this war but is also using them as human shields today.

“This statement, by implying Israel’s responsibility for civilian deaths, which are undoubtedly regrettable, potentially enables groups like LFI [a left-wing populist party in France] to exploit the situation, thereby stoking tensions and dividing France.