On November 7, the Ajax Amsterdam match against the Tel-Aviv Maccabi club generated violence in the city, particularly from Israeli supporters, although the majority of media reported the opposite.
Tel Aviv ultras began to roam the city the day before the match, chanting racist slogans and advocating terrorism such as: “Let Israeli law enforcement win and screw the Arabs” or even “Why are schools closed? Because there are no more children there! ». They also attacked a taxi driver who was lynched.
This outpouring of hatred led to a legitimate reaction from the population on the evening of the match. But it is this reaction which has been commented on and condemned by the media and political leaders who have gone so far as to speak of a pogrom or to evoke the darkest hours of history. However, it was Israeli supporters who defended the genocide in Gaza.
Despite speeches calling for an end to the delivery of weapons used in Gaza, despite the humiliation caused by the arrest of French gendarmes ensuring the protection of a Christian place of worship in Jerusalem, Macron maintains his unwavering support for the State of 'Israel. The election of Trump is not likely to change this situation. The Israeli state has understood this and will take advantage of it to step up its actions.
Mobilization against
the gala in Paris
Nevertheless, the horror of the genocide provokes reactions, despite the repression and propaganda. The movement in support of Palestine was organized in France against the gala of the “Israel is forever” association which had invited Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to Paris. A rally at the Trocadéro took place on November 7, then a demonstration of 10,000 people on November 13, the evening of the gala, made it possible to denounce the holding of this gala which serves as a platform for ideological support and financing of the genocide. Popular pressure worked in part: not only did the gala not take place as planned in the heart of Paris, but Smotrich did not come.
A football match deserted… except by supporters of Israel
The mobilization against the France-Israel football match caused a lot of noise. The prefect of police, Laurent Nunez, organized the security of the event hand in hand with the Israeli embassy: the law enforcement system was disproportionate (4,000 police officers and gendarmes announced and Israeli police officers). This collaboration with Israel on our own territory helps to repress expressions of solidarity with the resistance of the Palestinian people. By attending this meeting, Macron and Barnier participated in delegitimizing international law and sent a clear message of support for Israeli genocidal policy. This “double standard” between support for Israel on the one hand and the suspension of Russia from international competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has caused a reaction: the French team has never experienced so few spectators in the stands of the Stade de France.
Continue the mobilization
On the international level, a UN committee has carried out an investigation into the acts perpetrated in Gaza and indicates that this corresponds “with the characteristics of a genocide”. It was time, more than a year after the start of this genocide, for an international body to recognize this state of affairs. Now, sanctions will have to be imposed and become effective: the arrest warrants required by the prosecutor of the ICC (International Criminal Court) still seem to be awaiting issuance… We must continue to build and strengthen mobilization wherever we are, in local collectives, and continuing the BDS campaigns (Boycott, divestment, sanctions). This makes it possible to maintain pressure, including financial pressure, on the State of Israel, which continues its escalation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, but also in Lebanon. Genocide, apartheid and colonization must stop immediately! Let us continue to support the legitimate rights of Palestinians to self-determination, justice and freedom!
Néva Laprevisti
