France has banned not only pro-Hamas protests but any kind of pro-Palestine or anti-Israel demonstrations to ensure the security of Jewish citizens in light of the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict.
“Let us not bring ideological adventures here [to France] by imitation or by projection. Let us not add national fractures […] to international fractures,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement to the French people. “Let us stay united.”
Macron promised France would be “ruthless toward all those who bear hate,” and included appeals to France’s Muslim citizens, criticizing anti-Islamic sentiment as well. France is estimated to harbor the third largest Jewish population in the world as well as the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
Authorities are concerned that pro-Palestinian crowds could devolve into anti-Semitic violence. Several French-Israeli citizens are thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas forces, and Macron claimed 13 French citizens have been killed in Israel.
Despite the ban on protests, thousands of Palestine supporters gathered in Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, and other cities on Thursday.
Police used tear gas and water cannons on pro-Palestinians protestors who ignored the ban. Riot police dispersed crowds following orders from French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. “Pro-Palestinian demonstrations must be prohibited because they are likely to generate disturbances to the public order,” Darmanin ordered in a notice sent to the police, adding that arrests will be warranted for all those who organize protests.
Darmanin additionally claimed that over 100 cases of anti-Semitic activity have been reported in France since Hamas attacked Israel Saturday.
A large pro-Palestinian demonstration formed around the Statue of the Republic Thursday evening. Protestors climbed up the monument and waved Palestinian flags and banners supporting Gaza, and someone spraypainted “Free Palestine” on the statue.
The words “Free Palestine” have been spray painted on the statue of the Republic during the pro-Palestine demonstration in Paris.pic.twitter.com/A5jQi5G3YW
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 12, 2023
Riots in Paris broke out Thursday night and continued into the early hours of Friday morning. The French police have also claimed that a teacher was killed and two others were injured in a knife stabbing incident at school in Arras, France. The suspect is thought to have acted out of pro-Islamist sentiment.
BREAKING:
Major riots erupted tonight in Paris.
The riot police is clashing with Hamas supporters pic.twitter.com/H00uLSLk5g
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 12, 2023
Meanwhile, foreign students and workers who express pro-Hamas opinions have been threatened with deportation in the United Kingdom. British immigration minister Robert Jenrick has asked officials to look into revoking visas of people who support Hamas or engage in anti-Semitic discrimination on grounds of national security.
Add comment