“Before Discussing Human Rights…” Hamas Slams France And Demands For Return Of Algerian Skulls (image: screen grab)
In response to France call for “immediate and durable truce” in Gaza, Hamas official Osama Hamdan demanded the return of Algerian skulls from French museums which are preserved as a stark reminder of the colonial history.
While speaking to reporters, the Hamas official said, “Before discussing human rights, Macron should return Algerian skulls from French museums.”
“The skulls, belonging to Algerian resistance fighters from the 19th-century French war, were taken as war trophies and are now held in France,” he added.
Osama denoted it to be a stark reminder of the colonial history and France’s long-standing contentious relationship with Algeria.
The Hamas official also said that Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouq was misquoted saying that Hamas would consider recognizing Israel as a state. Hamdan then stated that Hamas will never recognise the legitimacy of the “Zionist entity” on part of the land. “This entity is temporary, and it will be destroyed,” he stated.
France foreign minister Catherine Colonna arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday. Colonna while speaking to her counterpart in Israel added that too many civilians were being killed in Gaza and thus need an immediate and durable truce. Last month, France’s President Emmanuel Macron said Israel should stop bombing that was killing women and children in Gaza. Earlier, UK and Germany too called for a “sustainable ceasefire” but stopped short of saying it should be immediate.
Meanwhile, Israel has rejected call for ceasefire as it fights to eliminate Hamas.
France’s history in Africa is more than just a ‘grave mistake’ and can never be pardoned. Its colonial occupation in Algeria demonstrated killing of many. The colossal wreckage in the country lasted till 1962. Around 1.5 million people died in the Algerian war of Independence due to French intervention. Adding onto its gruesome deeds, French took skulls of the Algerian fighters to their country and preserved them as war trophies at the museum. The French has denied to return the skulls of the martyrs and national resistance leaders from a museum as well as Algerian archives to the country, reports Anadolu Ajansi.
