Iran
Situation of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris (May 7, 2024)

Two years ago today, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris were arbitrarily arrested by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as were another two French citizens, one of whom is Louis Arnaud, a year and a half ago. France condemns this policy of state hostage-taking and ongoing blackmail by the Iranian authorities.

France denounces the Islamic Republic’s despicable practice of forced and public confessions, as well as the inhumane and appalling conditions in which our compatriots are being held. We hold the Iranian authorities responsible for their fate and treatment. France reiterates its demand for their immediate and unconditional release.

Our thoughts also go out to all the other European hostages jailed in Iran who are innocent of the absurd charges leveled against them in show trials.

The French authorities remain fully mobilized to obtain the release of our four compatriots. We are also in constant contact with their families and loved ones, who have our support in this ordeal.

Russia
France’s Ambassador to Russia summoned (May 6, 2024)

France’s ambassador to Russia was summoned on May 6 by the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

France notes that diplomatic channels have once again been hijacked in order to manipulate information and engage in intimidation.

The Russian Ministry once again reversed responsibilities, accusing Western countries of threatening Russia, although it is Russia that has been waging a war of aggression in Ukraine for more than two years in contempt of international law and pursuing aggressive maneuvers aimed at destabilizing European countries through cyberattacks and hybrid actions.

France will continue to support Ukraine in the long term as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression.

Q&A
Israel

At the speech he gave at yesterday’s CRIF* dinner, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had not a word to spare for the Palestinian victims while justifying Israel’s “overreactions,” saying that they could not be considered overreactions and implying that they were legitimate. At the same event, government spokesperson Prisca Thévenot was all smiles with former IDF spokesperson Julien Bahloul while the Israeli army was bombarding Rafah and seizing control of the border crossing with Egypt.

Is this an expression of the French government’s unconditional support for Israeli operations? Isn’t it at odds with your statements on Rafah ? What message did the government wish to send to the Palestinian people through these actions by its representatives?

France has consistently reiterated the absolute need to protect civilians in Gaza in accordance with international humanitarian law. We reiterate our strong opposition to an Israeli offensive in Rafah, which would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe on a whole new scale, and to any forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.

The hostages must be released immediately and a lasting ceasefire must provide civilian populations with the protection they need.

[*The Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France, or CRIF, is an umbrella organization that represents Jewish interests in France.]