Israel war: France announces ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations
Brady Knox
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France announced a ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations out of fear of outbreaks of violence.
Paris had already banned two pro-Palestinian demonstrations when Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced a general ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In a note to regional prefects, Darmanin said the demonstrations “are likely to generate disturbances to public order” and that organizers of the demonstrations should face arrest.
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In spite of the order, several hundred pro-Palestinian activists gathered in Paris, where they were met by police with water canons and tear gas. Videos posted on social media showed hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the city center after the ban, waving flags and signs.
The heightened anxiety in France reflects its possession of the largest Jewish community in Europe, which sits at 500,000, and one of the largest Muslim populations, at 5 million.
Darmanin told French radio that there had been a sharp uptick in antisemitic attacks, with over 100 recorded since Hamas’s surprise attack on Saturday, the BBC reported. This included swastikas and other graffiti calling for violence against Jews, including “death to Jews” and calls for “intifadas against Israel.”
Other cases included some being arrested while attempting to carry knives into schools and synagogues.
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In response, Darmanin told regional prefects to add a visible police presence to Jewish schools and synagogues.
Other European countries with sizable Jewish and Muslim populations are on high alert as well. Berlin has banned some pro-Palestinian protests as well over similar concerns.