France Would Defend Itself Like Israel, Says Former President Sarkozy

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy stated in a recent interview that France would respond similarly to Israel if faced with the same circumstances in its fight against Hamas and Hezbollah. Speaking to French media, Sarkozy expressed his understanding of Israel’s defensive actions, saying, “Israel has the right to defend itself. It has the duty to defend itself. If we, the French, were in the same situation, we would need to defend ourselves.”

Sarkozy referenced the October 7 massacre carried out by Hamas and the displacement of northern Israelis due to Hezbollah attacks, emphasizing that Israel’s military response was justified. “A country must stand tall, and Israel has the right to live standing tall, to live, period,” Sarkozy said, adding, “From this perspective, I say they were right.”

The former president, who served from 2007 to 2012, made it clear that while he could not celebrate Nasrallah’s assassination, he viewed Israel’s actions as necessary. “Israel has the right to defend itself, Israel has the duty to defend itself,” Sarkozy reiterated, urging a political understanding of the situation.

Continued French Support

Sarkozy’s comments echo previous French government support for Israel. In April, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal spoke in favor of Israel’s right to self-defense, specifically referencing the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli soil. During a parliamentary session, Attal condemned the far-left for ignoring the victims and hostages taken by Hamas, including three French citizens.

Attal also addressed concerns about France’s arms exports to Israel, highlighting that these exports support the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, which is used to protect Israeli territory from rocket attacks. “That is the reality,” Attal said, reinforcing France’s position on supporting Israel’s security.

As tensions in the region persist, Sarkozy’s remarks underscore the broader support for Israel's actions in Europe, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Share this story and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on international responses to Israel’s defense efforts.