Emmanuel Macron Faces Backlash in Montreal Over Gaza Conflict
French President Emmanuel Macron was met with fierce protests during his visit to Montreal on Thursday, where demonstrators expressed their outrage over France's stance on the ongoing Gaza conflict. As he exited a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, chants of "Shame on you!" and accusations of having "blood on your hands" echoed from a group of pro-Palestinian activists. The confrontation highlighted the intense emotions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many believe that foreign governments, including France, bear some responsibility.
During the encounter, Macron engaged with demonstrators, including a young Palestinian woman who poignantly shared her grief after losing her daughter in the violence. She and others condemned France for allegedly providing diplomatic cover and military support to Israel, demanding stronger action to protect Palestinian lives. "It is a genocide that is being committed in Gaza, you can stop it," they implored the French leader, calling for immediate intervention.
In response, Macron attempted to clarify France's position, stating, "Let's be clear, we are not selling weapons, we are asking for a ceasefire, we went to the Security Council for that." However, his efforts to shift the conversation were met with skepticism, as protesters insisted that the situation required urgent action rather than diplomatic discussions. Macron reiterated the need for collective international efforts to address terrorism in the region but faced pushback when a protester labeled Hamas as a resistance group rather than a terrorist organization. The exchange culminated in a call for Macron's resignation, with the demonstrator exclaiming, "If you are in power and can’t change anything, you must resign!"
Later, addressing reporters alongside Quebec Premier François Legault, Macron acknowledged the palpable emotions surrounding the conflict. "I understand, I respect this emotion... there can be a lot of confusion," he remarked, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a dialogue amidst the chaos. The protests continued at his final event in Montreal, where demonstrators reiterated their demands for solidarity with Palestine, underscoring the deep divisions and strong sentiments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
