Macron Loses Cool With Israeli Security In ‘Chirac Moment’ At Jerusalem Church

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By Randa Takieddine

French President Emmanuel Macron was involved in an incident with Israeli security outside the St. Anne Cathedral which is a French territory in Jerusalem.

President Macron expressed dissatisfaction when Israeli security entered the site and encountered Macron’s French security.

The French president allegedly said to the Israeli security, “Get out; we know the rules. Nobody should provoke anybody.”

The scene was brief but reminded the French of the late President Chirac’s visit to the old city of Jerusalem when he had a problem with Israeli security in the city’s narrow streets.

Chirac stopped angrily and demanded of the Israeli security. “Do you want me to go back?” The president also had a problem before entering the French Catholic Cathedral of St. Anne when he was preceded by Israeli security. He refused to enter until Israeli security had left.

Elysee sources explained that St Anne is a French territory in Jerusalem and that the role of France in the city is to protect such places. The Israeli security forces attempted to enter although French security was in charge.

The French president reacted to a disagreement between Israeli security and his French guards as he was entering the site; he was able to end the clashes and reminded the Israelis of the rules. He added that everything went smoothly and that no incident occurred.

According to the Elysee, the visit went well.

Macron stressed during his talk with the Israeli president that France would fight anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism especially if they attempted to deny the existence of Israel in France.

Macron said during his talk with the Israeli president that France would do its utmost to help Lebanon out of its crisis.

He said, “I share the vigilance against all forms of terrorism that could be carried out of Lebanon and which could threaten the security of the state of Israel or of Lebanon.

Macron later met the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah.

Arab News

Arab News is Saudi Arabia's first English-language newspaper. It was founded in 1975 by Hisham and Mohammed Ali Hafiz. Today, it is one of 29 publications produced by Saudi Research & Publishing Company (SRPC), a subsidiary of Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG).

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