According to latest Paris protest news, thousands of protesters gathered in Paris on Wednesday, November 13 to protest against a gala organized by far-right Israeli figures under the banner Israel is Forever.
The event was hosted at a secret location to raise funds for Israel to support military initiatives. It was organized by pro-Palestinian groups and the leftist France Unbowed Party.
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The gala event was billed as a fundraising initiative for Israel. Due to opposition from French political figures, activists and the public, Smotrich canceled his visit to Paris.
Many protesters and left-wing French MPs criticized the presence of figures like Smotrich. The latest Paris protest news shows activists’ concerns that the event could indirectly fund militaristic policies impacting Palestinian civilians.
Activist Salim from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement voiced his objections, calling the gala Horror Israel condemning it as an attempt to normalize racial hatred.
According to latest Paris protest news, France MP, Thomas Portes voiced strong disapproval, demanding the event be canceled.
French officials including Paris police chief Laurent Nunez defended the decision to allow the gala to proceed.
Protests against the event saw participation from various leftist and pro-Palestinian groups who marched peacefully through Paris, chanting slogans denouncing the gala.
Another protest led by Jewish leftist organizations opposing racism and antisemitism gathered near the Arc de Triomphe to protest the event.
Protesters accused the gala organizers of inciting racial animosity and highlighted the perceived double standards pointing out that similar gatherings supporting other groups would likely be banned.
While the latest Paris protest news reports that the majority of the protests were peaceful. Windows of McDonald’s and Carrefour stores along the march route were damaged.
The gala’s timing raised concerns as it took place on the eve of a football match between Israel and France set to take place in Paris with 20,000 fans expected to attend.
Tensions surrounding this latest Paris protest news are by the heavy police presence of 4,000 officers assigned to maintain order during the match.
The mobilization of 4,000 police officers along with an additional 1,600 stadium staff.
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According to latest Paris protest news, French civil rights openly opposed the Israel is Forever gala. In a public letter, they addressed that the event was an affront to international law and dismissed calls by the UN and the International Court of Justice to prevent human rights abuses in Gaza.
In a 2023 interview, Kupfer-Naouri claimed there were no innocent civilians in Gaza, blaming the population for electing Hamas despite its extreme anti-Israel platform.
Kupfer-Naouri’s comments were criticized as dehumanizing and inciting hate leading protesters to condemn her participation and leadership in the gala event.
As evening approached, the protest grew in numbers leading Parisian police to deploy riot gear and tear gas to control the crowd.
The protests remained peaceful, though some participants broke windows at a nearby McDonald’s as part of the protest route.
In total, over 4,000 officers and 1,600 stadium security personnel were assigned to monitor the event and maintain order.
Just days before the Paris protest, a Free Palestine banner was displayed at a Paris Saint-Germain soccer game, while fans of an Israeli soccer team in Amsterdam experienced violence.
According to latest Paris protest news, the protest attracted huge supporters including left-wing political groups, unions and Jewish organizations against both racism and antisemitism.
Protesters such as BDS activists also attended to voice opposition framing the gala as racially insensitive and accusing it of views that dehumanize Palestinians.
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