HaKatan, JE & DY:
Going back to the original discussion, there is no comparison between France and Israel (AKA the Zionist State). Al pi Halacha, we go after Rov for many things. For example, I have heard Rav Chaim holds it is Assur to give blood if Rov says it will go to an Aino Yehudi (due to the Issur of Oseh Chaburah), while in Israel it is a Mitzava of Hatzolas Nefashos. Agree or disagree, the parameters are still true. Someone who is a soldier in France (or the USA) Al Pi Rov is protecting Aino-Yehudim, vs. in Israel he is Al Pi Rov protecting Yidden. Somewone who is protecting Yidden deserves our Hakaras HaTov and our Tefilos. Of course, a specific person who protects Yidden (such as a policeman in front of a shul in London) also deserves our Hakaras Hatov & Tefilos. This is going on a non-specific soldier.
This conceptually would be true in any area of Rov Yidden where protection is offered without discrimination (such as Shomrim in Williamsburg), no matter what the government is.