Soft targets for Islamists

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Being born here in New Zealand to French parents, I must have a say in these horrible killings of innocent civilians by radical Muslims.

Firstly, the French and Belgian “nationals” who media say have done this are all legal and illegal immigrants, or their children, who have come from Muslim countries to France and Europe — which accepted them in good faith.

What is happening now with thousands of new “immigrants” is history repeating itself.

I received a letter this week from the French ambassador to New Zealand. He is conveying a message from France to French people here. He says the president of the republic has declared: “Facing terror, France has to be strong and show solidarity . . . and they will be.”

He says the relationship and close ties with New Zealanders is very good.

His letter reminds the people of the three principles France cherishes and are symbolised in the French flag, blue, white and red, and what they stand for: Liberte — freedom (of people’s way of life); Egalite — equity for all people or equality (no favourtism within its population); and Fraternite — brotherhood (being family and working together).

While France and many other countries in the West are Christian, radical Muslims infiltrate and call Christians “infidels”. Because of their fanatical religious beliefs, this conflict unfortunately will continue. It can happen anywhere in the world.

New Zealand is considered a land of opportunity and in choosing our flag we need to consider what we stand for, who we are and where we are.

Red, white and blue are a good start that represent freedom, equality and brotherhood. The silver fern, an emerging nation. The southern cross and stars is where we are.

Alain Jorion