- Thousands in Paris fearlessly defy ban to support pro-Palestine demonstrations, facing tear gas, water cannons, and arrests by police.
- French authorities justify the ban due to ‘public order concerns,’ while permitting pro-Israel protests.
In Paris, thousands courageously disregarded the ban on pro-Palestine demonstrations to show their support for Palestine, despite the nationwide prohibition. Law enforcement used tear gas, water cannons, aggressive charges against protesters, and made arrests in their attempt to disband the gathering. The French authorities have defended the ban on pro-Palestine demonstrations, citing concerns about maintaining “public order,” while allowing pro-Israel protests to proceed.
Protesters echoed slogans such as “Israel murderer” and “Macron accomplice,” alluding to French President Emmanuel Macron after he had expressed his support for Israel.
Pictured: French Protestors hold Palestinian flags and show support for Gaza. Credit-Reuters.
France, a supposed beacon of democracy, is paradoxically stifling the cherished freedoms of protest and expression. With the largest Muslim population in Europe, the Palestinian cause holds a profound place in the hearts of many French citizens. It is worth noting that, much like protests worldwide, the Palestinian cause transcends religious boundaries, evolving into a universal humanitarian concern, as exemplified by protestor Charlotte Vautier, 29, who had this to say at the protest yesterday:
“We live in a country of civil law, a country where we have the right to take a stand and to demonstrate. (It is unfair) to forbid for one side and to authorise for the other and that does not reflect the reality of Palestine”
