13.11. 8 years ago today, ISIS terrorists murdered 130 people at various locations in Paris. Mainly, in the Bataclan Theatre where 90 concert goers were massacred.
I was there the following morning, reporting, same as I do in every major European event for more than a decade.
I remember the absolute shock and stress. I remember President Hollande declaring that this was an act of war.
I remember constant flow of people lighting candles, laying flowers and paying respect for the dead.
I remember the international empathy and sympathy, the feeling that all of us - are in this together. That this time it was the Parisian Bataclan but it could have been anywhere else.
I remember ISIS blaming the French airstrikes in Syria and Iraq for the attack. The Syrian President, Assad, while condemning ISIS, saying that the French support of the Syrian rebels had some blame.
I remember France declaring a state of emergency, giving unprecedented powers to the police. It then went to war halfway across the world. Bombing large areas in Syria and Iraq while operating in French neighbourhoods and cities.
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What I don’t remember, though, is anyone else justifying the ISIS attacks or saying that France contributed by its actions prior.
I don’t remember people tearing up flowers and destroying corners of remembrance. I don’t remember many who denied what happened.
I don’t remember mass protests calling to stop the war against ISIS. No one said all French people are murderers or that Hitler should have finished the job in france. Nor did anyone brush off ISIS threats to keep attacking France over and over again.
I don’t remember students, professors, or humanitarians chanting that France doesn’t have a right to exist.
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It’s true, history didn’t start on October 7th, it’s much more complex and nuanced than most of the debate currently holds.
You have criticism about Israel? Go ahead. I’m the last person to cancel criticism by automatically categorising it as antisemitism.
BTW, many Israelis are critical of the current government. You know what some of the most fiercest Israelis opposing the government are doing now? Being held hostage in Gaza. Without Red Cross visits, while their families are worried sick not knowing if they’re dead or alive.
Israel, like any other country, is far from being perfect but to act like the 260 Nova music-festival goers lives are different and less equal to the 90 concert-goers in Paris is not a matter of being antisemite or anti-Israeli, it’s just not being a decent human being.
@cardplayerlife@elielezra1@DylanLinde@ToriiTown Hey I got Eli's signed already, I know Dylan's not gon have his radio voice super power but still let me in on that please. Arriving late October can't be there for the event 🤦♂️