• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Macron, Testy and Petulant Outside a Church In Jerusalem

Jan 25, 2020 10:00 am By Hugh Fitzgerald

The disturbing story is here.

“Go outside,” French President Emmanuel Macron demanded in English in a melee with Israeli security men on Wednesday, demanding they leave a Jerusalem basilica that he visited before a Holocaust memorial conference.

Here’s what he shouted, in English, to the Israeli security men:

“I don’t like what you did in front of me. Go outside. I’m sorry but you  know the rules.

“Nobody has to provoke, Nobody! We keep calm!

Emmanuel Macron was demanding that the Israeli security men who were standing at the entrance to the Church of St. Anne with only one purpose in mind – to make sure that he, President Macron, would be made as safe as possible in visiting the site– should leave, “go outside.” He didn’t think it right for Israeli police and Shin Bet to enter the church, which he considers to be the property of France, akin to an Embassy which, juridically, is a debatable proposition. Does he think that a Saudi-funded mosque in Paris would be off-limits to the French police?

The Israeli security people had a job to do: to ensure Macron’s safety. Isn’t it possible that they know how to do this, in Jerusalem, better than anyone else, including the security men who accompanied Macron from France? Is Macron an expert on Palestinian terrorism? Does he know how to look over people of Middle Eastern mien in the crowd at the church to detect if anything is amiss? Does he know what the Shin Bet people know about the particular risks of visiting the Church of St. Anne’s? Does it make sense to berate the Israeli security men for fulfilling their task, a difficult job in any circumstances, for which Macron, instead of becoming angry, should have been grateful?

The French tricolor has flown over the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem’s walled Old City since it was gifted by the Ottomans to French Emperor Napoleon III in 1856.

France views it as a provocation when Israeli police enter the church’s sandstone complex.

Why is it a “provocation” when the Israeli police attempt to enter the church? How, and who, are they provoking in trying to assure security for Macron at the church? Are the Israeli police there to interrupt or shut down a service or otherwise make trouble for their distinguished visitor? Did they try to prevent his security detail from entering? Wasn’t it the other way round, with the French trying to keep out the Israelis? The Israelis were there for only one reason, which we must keep repeating: to safeguard a foreign dignitary who, because of his position, might be at risk of attack. Is that really beyond the intelligence of Macron, who has gone to all the right French schools – the Lycee Henri IV, followed by Sciences-Po, followed by the Ecole Nationale d’Administration — to understand? Would the French, who know perfectly well what Arab terrorists are capable of, prefer that the Israeli security services, both police and Shin Bet, not have visited the Church of St. Anne’s before Macron arrived to check it out? Would he really prefer — as his rude outburst suggests — not to have any Israelis in the church to provide an extra level of protection?

Perhaps Macron needs to be reminded of what happened to him just three days before he arrived in Jerusalem. He and his wife had gone to see a play – “La Mouche” – at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord.

When 30 protesters outside tried, vainly, to enter the theatre, his security detail quickly surrounded him, treating others in the audience rather roughly. The security men weren’t about to stand on ceremony. Does Macron remember that? But he understood that it was part of their job; he did not berate those security men at the theatre, as he did, just a few days later, the Israelis who were, in much more difficult and potentially dangerous circumstances only attempting to ensure his safety?

While the Israelis behaved with professionalism and, indeed, admirable restraint under conditions made more difficult for them by the French security detail, and by the outburst from testy and petulant Emmanuel Macron himself, nothing at St. Anne’s Church compares to the behavior of Macron’s personal bodyguard and friend Alexandre Benalla, who in 2018 caused a scandal by lunging out and hitting two protesters, one a woman, who posed no danger whatsoever to Macron or anyone else. At the time, Macron found nothing wrong with his bodyguard’s behavior. Benalla’s brutality went unreported until the story appeared on social media. But as for those Israelis, they were truly indefensible in wanting to help protect Macron he was right to yell at them.

Wednesday’s incident was a case of deja vu all over again. In 1996, former President Jacques Chirac lost patience with Israeli security agents at the same church, telling one of them that his treatment was a “provocation” and threatening to get back on his plane.

Chirac refused to enter St. Anne until Israeli security left the site.

Again, for Chirac then as for Macron now, a moment’s reflection would have told them that that they should be grateful for, and not be angry with, Israel’s superb security services. Just the other day, the Shin Bet revealed that in 2019, it had foiled 560 terrorist attacks. Macron himself, as the President of France, has received threats from Arab terrorists. Why should he shout at the Israeli security men who are keenly aware of such threats, and have longer experience at foiling them than anyone else, including the members of Macron’s security detail?

Video showed Macron, jostled in the center of a crowded circle between his own protective detail and Israeli security personnel, including several paramilitary policemen in uniform, under an archway leading into the church.

When there are two distinct groups providing security for the same dignitary, as here, with both Macron’s French “protective detail” and Israeli security personnel, the task becomes more difficult: who will have final say? Who answers to whom? How close should crowds of well-wishers be allowed to come? How do we ensure Macron’s safe entry and exit? Isn’t it just possible that the Israelis, who are well-versed in scanning Jerusalem crowds for suspicious types, and who know, too, the precise layout of the church, and the places where one bent on mayhem or murder could hide a weapon, or plant an explosive, should be worked with, instead of enduring Macron’s shouting in English at the Israeli security guards that “I don’t like what you did in front of me. Go outside. I’m sorry but you know the rules. Nobody has to provoke, Nobody! We keep calm!”? Of course. Keep calm! Just like Emmanuel Macron.

There were reports of “shoving.” But who was doing the “shoving” and who was being “shoved”? The contretemps was between the two security services, French and Israeli, at the entrance to the church. The French wanted to keep all the Israeli security men out; it was they who were “jostling” and “shoving” the Israelis, who were determined not to back off; they had been tasked by the government with ensuring Macron’s safety and wanted only to do so. But after Macron’s shouting, which stunned the Israelis, they agreed to send in only two people, one policeman and one member of Shin Bet.

According to a statement put out by the Shin Bet, Macron later apologized to Israeli security men. Later on the same day as the church visit, an Élysée spokeswoman said that the incident was “nothing serious,” and that Macron’s visit continues as planned. “Everything is going well.” And then, on the next day, the French government denied that Macron had apologized to Israeli security for anything.

Here’s what Macron should do, to make proper amends. He should recognize that his behavior at the church was intolerable. He should apologize publicly and unambiguously, to the security services and the people of Israel, for his unseemly performance. He might word it thus: “I must apologize for my inexcusable behavior outside the Church of St. Anne’s on Wednesday. I failed to give sufficient weight to the difficult task it must have been for those Israelis providing me with an extra level of security, and I am sorry for my outburst.” But he won’t. Macron belongs to the never-apologize-never-explain school of statecraft. And Israel’s security professionals will just have to soldier on, for the grateful and the ungrateful alike, as they have had to do for decades.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Featured, France, Israel, Jerusalem Tagged With: Emmanuel Macron


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Comments

  1. James says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:15 am

    Simple and easy, he assumed that Israelite security would agitate the Arabs just by existing there… no idea why though obviously lol 😂

    • Brenrod says

      Jan 26, 2020 at 11:54 pm

      Trump makes macron look like his personal biatch

  2. Martin says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:34 am

  3. Martin says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:44 am

    • FYI says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Does mahmoud Abbas know “ze rules”

      As the Globalists no doubt believe
      “We know perfectly..everybody knows ze rules”

  4. Kesselman says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:49 am

    The arrogant Macron can’t hide his French supremacy attitude. It was seen in some of his predecessors too. By the way, what is he visiting? To show how he mourns what happen 70 yrs ago? What about recklessly taken into France Moslem Jew-haters in the millions?

    • mortimer says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 11:00 am

      A head of state especially should be on good terms with his body guards! Common sense.

  5. SKA says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:50 am

    East Jerusalem is not for the claustrophobic in any case.

  6. mortimer says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 10:57 am

    Rugged, real men with a college education stand guard over Macron 24/7, but his appreciation of their dangerous service is sadly lacking. Macron is a spoiled brat whiz-kid who knows a lot about finance and should have stayed out of politics. The rudeness to those who risk their lives on his behalf is inexcusable.

    • The unexpected voice says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 2:52 pm

      France need Le Pens. They’re aware of jihadist threats.

  7. FYI says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 11:03 am

    Who does he think he is?

    JUPITER?

    Emperor Napoleon ?
    {He apparently said he would like to rule like a Roman god;being a mere mortal emperor probably wouldn’t be enough for such an egotistical Globalist twunt}

    He once said his thoughts are too complex for journalists to understand.

    “you know ze rules”

    No,monsieur Jupiter,they are clear enough…

    • FYI says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 11:24 am

      “Ze Rules”

      Quest que c’est?

      If you are in favor of preserving your National heritage and controlling your borders you are a nazi

      If you oppose mass islamic immigration and the barbarisms of islam,from halall cruelty to animals to the pereverse sharia laws you are just being “islamophobic”.

      If you speak out about such things that’s “Hate Speech”

      macron is a little globalist twunt with delusions of grandeur
      {sorry for the Height Speech}

    • shark says

      Jan 26, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      micron suffers from little man syndrome

  8. elee says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 11:40 am

    He should apologise to the civillised world for the hot mess Vichy France bequeathed to the world under the name of Syria.

  9. Ed Lee says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 2:21 pm

    Israeli security forces should have had cameras recording video in that church (my guess is they do). When Macron threw his temper tantrum, the Israelis should have ensured they had the recording of the entire incident saved in a secure location, and then told Macron and his team that they were on their own, and left. Why should the Israelis, or the security/military forces of any country, risk their lives to protect someone with that level of ignorance and arrogance?

    • commonsense says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Ed, I agree 100 per cent. But you know that if the Israeli security detail had abandoned Macron and something would have happened, Israel would have been vilified for its failure to protect a foreign leader. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

  10. observer says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    what a pathetic pompous petulant priggish deluded prince poor macron is…

    how embarrassing his behaviour was.

    what a superb example of how a world leader ought NOT to behave.

    I’ve heard over many years that the French are a self-opinionated lot (there have to be some exceptions to this ?). I suppose macron typifies what I’ve heard about zee french people.

    macron, tu es un singe !

    • Quazgaa says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      A dressed monkey at that.

    • Lavéritétriomphera says

      Jan 25, 2020 at 5:50 pm

      N’importe quoi, cette église romane bâtie par les croisés est territoire français. Le président fait ce qu’il veut dans son pays, et il n’a pas été insultant à l’égard des policiers israéliens, d’autant plus que cette affaire a un précédant. En 1996 Jacques Chirac s’est comporté de la même façon.
      Il n’est pas nécessaire de monter en épingle cette histoire. La France et Israël n’ont pas toujours eu des relations simples, mais les deux pays coopèrent dans de nombreux domaines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93Israel_relations.

  11. gravenimage says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    Macron, Testy and Petulant Outside a Church In Jerusalem
    …………………

    What a moron. In other words, how *dare* the Israelis try to keep him safe?

    • Rufolino says

      Jan 26, 2020 at 4:36 am

      He thinks the French Head of State should act like Louis XIV.

    • Carpediadem says

      Jan 26, 2020 at 11:36 am

      He doesn’t have to be polite to the Israelis.
      They’re only Jews after all.

      This is how they think. He would not dare behave like that to Arabs.

      • gravenimage says

        Jan 26, 2020 at 8:48 pm

        Spot on, Carpediadem.

  12. b.a. freeman says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    Here’s what Macron should do, to make proper amends. …
    —
    nazis never apologize; they just tell Yet Another lie. this a**hole will only realize his mistake when the hard-core left stands him up against the wall (because he is rich), or when pious muslims behead him as he tries to bleat out the shahadah (because he is an infidel, and they don’t really care *who* they kill).

    f***ing nazi.

    • Lavéritétriomphera says

      Jan 26, 2020 at 6:27 am

      I have problems with persons who insult D Trump who was democratically elected by the American people. Therefore I believe you should have a little more respect for Macron who was democratically elected by French people, he did not insult the Israeli policemen, and he does what he wants on French territory even if we do not agree with him.
      I would also like to add that I did not vote for him but I respect the presidential function. Right now I would not like to be in Macron’s place because we have a very serious social crisis in France.

      • Carpediadem says

        Jan 26, 2020 at 11:37 am

        Noone is entitled to behave like a rude ass especially when security is attempting to protect him.

        • Lavéritétriomphera says

          Jan 26, 2020 at 1:00 pm

          Whatever words you use, Macron did not insult anyone. Some use the word Nazi carelessly. Keep in mind France suffered through Nazi occupation and oppression and we kept a bitter memory of it.
          Macron recognized the responsibility of France for the deportation and attempt to exterminate French Jews. He publicly regrets the rise of antisemitism in France. That is not Nazi talk.

      • Lavéritétriomphera says

        Jan 26, 2020 at 1:45 pm

        I forgot to add, I believe Macron does not trust (to say the least) angry mobs and “nazis”. When he made a TV appearance at the beginning of yellow vests crisis he was as white as a sheet. So I think he is not the kind of person who takes unnecessary risks.

        • Lavéritétriomphera says

          Jan 27, 2020 at 4:46 am

          @Yogi,

          ?
          Macron is criticized for being a globalist, but he inherited a disastrous socio-economic situation. Right now social tensions are increasing.

          @gravenimage,

          I agree with you Macron didn’t want to be nice, but don’t go overboard: he did not insult the Israeli policemen.
          French culture legacy is Mediterranean. This is true if one is from the north or the south of the country. Macron is hot tempered, Marine Le Pen is hot tempered, we are all hot tempered …

      • gravenimage says

        Jan 26, 2020 at 8:50 pm

        Lavéritétriomphera–with all respect–I think that screaming “go outside!” to his Israeli security detail was indeed insulting.

  13. tgusa says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    “Emmanuel Macron was demanding that the Israeli security men who were standing at the entrance to the Church of St. Anne with only one purpose in mind – to make sure that he, President Macron, would be made as safe as possible in visiting the site– should leave, “go outside.”

    Country/culture wreckers don’t want security in very dangerous places. Well, OK then.

    I’m sure there are a number of French citizens who are angry with what has been done to their homeland who wouldn’t have a problem with that.

  14. somehistory says

    Jan 25, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Hold the phone! The “ottomans” “gifted the church to France”? Just who gave the church to the ottomans?

    The ottomans ***stole*** it, so it was not theirs to “gift” to anyone. And since it’s in Jerusalem, the Jews rightly can go inside it…they don’t need the permission of a French idiot…prime minister or otherwise.

  15. John says

    Jan 26, 2020 at 12:32 am

    Macron you terrorist supporting prick, pay RESPECT to those who keep you ALIVE . Or, the Israeli Soldiers should just never protect you, protect your own Arse you ungrateful Pretentious BIGOT.

  16. Caroline Rausch says

    Jan 26, 2020 at 6:58 am

    Why should Macron want to go into a church in any case since he is not a Christian? He is in love with islam, and said he wanted huge mosques built like cathedrals in every french city that had a cathedral, and a great important Imam for all of France, like a Pope. He said a lot more. He will certainly by voted out of office and God willing, the next President will be marine Le Pen

  17. jca reid says

    Jan 27, 2020 at 8:35 am

    Hypocrite!!

  18. deepak rao says

    Jan 28, 2020 at 12:04 am

    In India we sell men’s underwear to hold their carrot and peas in the name of VIP Frenchie………………. contempt………….

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • gravenimage on Al-Qaeda Calls on Jihadis to Kill Non-Muslims With Poisoned Coronavirus Masks
  • Infidel on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • Infidel on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • gravenimage on Al-Qaeda Calls on Jihadis to Kill Non-Muslims With Poisoned Coronavirus Masks
  • Infidel on Iranian Kurdistan: Muslim brothers behead their sister in honor killing over her romantic relationship

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.