Protests broke out in Paris on Wednesday against a controversial pro-Israel gala organised by far-right figures. The event aimed to raise funds for the Israeli military and included an invitation to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The demonstrations occurred on the eve of a significant football match at France’s national stadium between France and Israel’s national team, amid heightened tensions over Middle Eastern conflicts. Paris authorities announced that over 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff would be deployed for the game.
Smotrich, known for his support of Israeli settlements, was initially expected to attend the gala, titled “Israel is Forever,” organised by an association with the same name. This group’s mission is to “mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces.”
However, following days of criticism, Smotrich’s office confirmed on Wednesday that he would not travel to Paris for the event.
The invitation to Smotrich sparked backlash from local associations, unions, and left-wing political parties, leading to two protests in Paris. Smotrich, a prominent settler leader, has faced accusations of heightening tensions in the West Bank and recently attracted international condemnation by expressing hopes that Donald Trump’s re-election could facilitate Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
The French Foreign Ministry condemned Smotrich’s comments, labelling them “contrary to international law” and unhelpful for reducing regional tensions.
“France reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, which is the only prospect for a just and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the ministry stated.
Criticism was also directed at Nili Kupfer-Naouri, president of the “Israel is Forever” association, who caused outrage in 2023 after the Israel-Hamas war began, when she tweeted that “no civilian in Gaza was innocent.”
On Wednesday night, hundreds of protesters marched through central Paris, condemning the event as a “gala of hatred and shame.”
“Imagine if an association were hosting a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas — there’s no way the police would allow that,” said Melkir Saib, a 30-year-old protester. “The situation is just unfair.”
The demonstration was mostly peaceful, though some protesters damaged a McDonald’s along the route.
Meanwhile, another group, including Jewish leftist organisations opposed to racism and antisemitism, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe, chanting slogans against the gala and Smotrich’s participation.
French authorities defended the event, with Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stating that the gala presented “no major threat to public order.”
The protests came amid recent unrest in Paris and Amsterdam over Middle Eastern conflicts.
During a Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, a large “Free Palestine” banner was displayed, and violence erupted last week in Amsterdam targeting fans of an Israeli football club.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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