France pays homage to victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel with national ceremony led by Macron

By SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in Israel. He led a national ceremony four months after what he described as the century’s “largest anti-Semitic massacre.” About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 250 were abducted. The ceremony paid homage to 42 French citizens who died in the attack and three hostages still believed to be held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza. Three empty chairs symbolized their absence. Families of victims attended the ceremony. Macron strongly denounced barbarity that “feeds on antisemitism and propagates it.”