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In the context of recent terrorist attacks in France & after a week of outrage in Muslim countries over the Charlie Hebdo caricature, @EmmanuelMacron gave a long interview to @AJArabic today to counter misunderstandings and misinformation about his recent statements. Key points: https://twitter.com/ajarabic/status/1322521122861129728
1/ Macron started by recalling that France had been attacked multiple times by extremists who were distorting the message of Islam and regretted that disinformation had been spread on social media about the situation.
2/ He recalled the roots of FR secularism based on the protection of freedom of speech & freedom of religion: a long struggle between the state and the Catholic Church and where caricatures on all religions (& politicians) are a tradition.
3/ Macron said he understood the emotion of Muslims about caricatures but stressed that the role of French authorities is to protect individual freedoms. The French government is not responsible for the caricatures but is responsible for protecting the right to publish them.
4/ Important quote (rough translation): « I consider that society must be tolerant and respectful but it is not my role as a president to limit the freedom to draw because some are offended. If I do that, step by step, we will extinguish freedom of speech »
5/ He emphasise the issue was to have a debate on these caricatures and build understanding & tolerance in society. The issue is not to ban the caricatures.
6/ He answered a Q on double standard btwn Islam & Judaism. Macron said satire & denialism were different. There are caricatures about all religions incl. Judaism but holocaust denial & hate speech are illegal. Hate speech against Muslims are prosecuted as much as antisemitism.
7/ Macron explained France is looking at its own history with a clear eye. It’s role in WWII as well as during the colonisation are explicitly acknowledged by French authorities.
8/ Macron sais lies had led some groups to exploit the situation & call for boycott of FR products. They want to boycott a country and its people because a free journalist used his right to draw. Freedom of press in FR cannot be suppressed, unlike it is in other countries.
9/ Macron stressed that FR sent a message of appeasement and friendship to Muslim countries but political and religious leaders in these countries also have to act responsibly and push back against lies and speeches that are directly or indirectly calling for violence.
10/ He recalled his speech on “separatism” targeted extremist groups who refuse the law of their country, not French Muslims, who have the same rights as all French citizens and deserve the same opportunities.
11/ He acknowledged the French system has to be improved (racism, jobs,...) but its foundations have a long history and coherence. It protects the rights of all, it is not meant to target a religion but to host citizens who can live together and not only next to each other.
12/ Macron expressed FR solidarity to Turkey in the earthquake context. He also questioned Erdogan’s behaviour as a NATO ally ( #Syria, #Libya, #EastMed), wishing appeasement but stressing European unity & sovereignty.
13/ Macron ended by recalling the multiple historical, cultural and human ties between France and Muslim countries. He said he had himself supported ongoing cooperation projects in the academic field, including when it comes to the study of Islamic civilisation.
In essence : refusal of violence; understanding of emotions but uncompromising protection of freedom of speech ; all worshipers are protected in FR, incl Muslims; defense of FR specifics & Republican model ; clear eye on FR challenges but push back against foreign explotation.
Final word: On such a sensitive topic I advise everyone to watch the entire interview before twitting or writing an article. Do not stop at the one sentence tweets Al Jazeera will have picked. I could not capture everything in just few tweets. (End)
