The demonstration, which aimed in particular to denounce the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as to oppose the “Israel is forever” gala, ended its journey at Place de la République in Paris.
Several thousand people demonstrated this Wednesday, November 13 in Paris at the call of associations, unions and left-wing political parties to denounce the holding of the “Israel is Forever” gala in the French capital in the evening.
This gala is an event in support of Israel organized by several far-right personalities. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his extreme positions, was initially expected in person before his spokesperson mentioned speaking remotely.
“Smotrich assassin, Macron accomplice”, protesters chanted against the Israeli minister in the procession which set off near the Saint-Lazare station around 7 p.m., as a BFMTV journalist present was able to observe. on site.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly “condemns” the Israeli minister's comments, deeming them “contrary to international law” and going “against efforts aimed at a de-escalation of regional tensions”.
Shop windows targeted
In addition to the slogans against Bezalel Smotrich, the demonstrators were protesting more generally against the policies pursued by the Israeli government in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. “Free Palestine”, “Israel get out of the way, Palestine is not yours”, the demonstrators chanted.
For fear of excesses, McDonald's restaurants, one of which was targeted by demonstrators who damaged its window, and a Carrefour store, as well as a Starbucks café, had lowered their iron curtains with customers inside. .
The Paris police chief, Laurent Nuñez, interviewed on RTL radio on Wednesday, indicated that he had not banned the gala as it did not appear to present any “significant” risk of disturbance to public order. AFP journalists, informed of the potential location, did not notice any disturbances shortly after 9 p.m.
The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023 by the unprecedented attack carried out by Hamas against Israel, killing 1,206 people, mainly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data, including the hostages killed. or died in captivity.
The retaliatory offensive by Israel in Gaza left 43,712 dead, the majority civilians, according to data from the Hamas government's Health Ministry, deemed reliable by the UN.
Alexis Lalemant, Milan Argelas with AFP
