Despite a ban on pro-Palestinian rallies in Paris, several thousand demonstrators gathered, resulting in police intervention, amid the Gaza conflict.

In a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, several thousand pro-Palestinian demonstrators defied a ban on rallies in Paris, leading to police intervention.

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French authorities, including President Emmanuel Macron’s interior minister, had previously forbidden pro-Palestinian rallies, citing fears over public order disruptions. France, which has the largest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe, has already suffered domestic difficulties due to the Middle East conflict.

As masses gathered in central Paris, police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. Despite the prohibition, marchers formed separate groups and sang chants like “Israel murderer” and “Macron accomplice.” President Macron has already condemned the horrific act carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and expressed his support for Israel.

Charlotte Vautier, a 29-year-old rally attendee, underlined the importance of free expression and advocated for justice in allowing demonstrations.

Tensions arose within French political circles when the far-left France Unbowed party was chastised for their refusal to classify the Hamas attack as an act of terrorism. This approach strained relations with the party’s Socialist and Green opponents.

President Macron portrayed the ongoing crisis in the Middle East as an “earthquake” with far-reaching implications in a solemn televised address. He urged the French to remain united and avoid importing the Israel-Hamas conflict into their domestic sphere.

Macron reaffirmed the government’s commitment to beefing up police protection for Jewish institutions such as schools and synagogues. He emphasized that the atrocities could not be justified and warned against blurring the lines between supporting the Palestinian cause and justifying terrorism.

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Despite the restriction on pro-Palestinian protests, the Gaza conflict has resulted in over 20 arrests in France, largely for antisemitic crimes such as harassing of Jewish children at schools.