Why the Israel-Hamas Conflict is Significant for France

087 – 30 November 2023 The authors' views are their own and do not represent the official position of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies of the S. [...] The French peace initiative is based on three pillars: an immediate humanitarian truce, a collective response to the terrorist challenges posed by Hamas, and the paving of the way for a political solution by ensuring the creation of a Palestinian state, a necessary condition to ensure the stability and security of Israel. [...] Domestic Impact The Hamas attack on 7 October resulted in the deaths of 30 French nationals, making it the deadliest terrorist attack on French interests since the Nice attacks in 2016. [...] It has had a long history of diplomatic involvement in the Middle East, where it has often protected the interests of Arab Christians and holy sites in Jerusalem, calling itself the “oldest daughter” of the Christian Church. [...] France has frequently adopted a divergent approach from that of the United States in attempts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mitigate tensions in the Middle East.