What is Betar, organizer of the demonstration for Israel in Paris?

« Israel is forever gala in Paris. The mobilization of French-speaking Zionist forces in the service of the power and history of Israel », We can read on the poster presenting the event published on the Betar France Facebook page.

The group notably announces the presence of the Minister of Finance of the State of Israel, Bezalel Smotrich. This same minister, also responsible for civil management in the West Bank, promised this Monday, November 12, the annexation in 2025 by Israel of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

An invitation that says a lot about the positioning of Betar. It is described today as a nationalist Jewish Zionist youth movement in favor of the creation of a greater State of Israel. “ Zionism by passion, Judaism by pride », he introduces himself on his Facebook page. Officially not politically oriented, it is considered by many to be positioned on the extreme right: it is directly attached to the party currently in power in Israel, the Likud.

History of violence

The founding of Betar predates the creation of the State of Israel. Founded in 1923 in Latvia by Vladimir Ze'ev Jabotinsky, this movement takes the name of the last Jewish fortress that fell into the hands of the Romans during the Jewish revolt of the years 132-135, southwest of Jerusalem. Last July, the association established in 30 countries celebrated its 100 years of existence in the holy city.

This Parisian gathering presents risks of slippage. It comes a few days after the attack on Israeli supporters in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a football match. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Israeli secret service, the Mossad, to establish an action plan for this type of violence.

In France, several groups and left-wing political figures are calling for the cancellation of the demonstration. There is a history: in 1988, violence broke out on the sidelines of a demonstration against anti-Semitism in Paris. In 2002, clashes broke out with pro-Palestinian activists. Since then, Betar has become more discreet, organizing trips, conferences and seminars.