French Police Fire Water Cannon, Teargas at Banned Pro-Palestinian Protests

Improve the News Foundation -

Facts

  • Police in Paris used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a 3K-strong pro-Palestinian demonstration at Place de la République, where protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted 'Israel murderer' on Thursday, making 10 arrests. Ten others were also arrested at another rally in Lille.1
  • This comes as the French government announced a systematic ban on all pro-Palestinian protests due to their alleged potential to generate public order disturbances, with Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stating that the organization of these protests 'should lead to arrests.'2
  • According to Darmanin, more than 100 anti semitic cases have been reported in the country since Hamas attacked Israel last Saturday, prompting Pres. Emmanuel Macron to urge French citizens to remain united and not to 'confuse the Palestinian cause with the justification of terrorism.'3
  • Meanwhile, without directly referring to Hamas, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday said that Budapest will not allow rallies supporting 'terrorist organizations' as that would pose a terror threat to Hungarian citizens.4
  • These bans follow a call from a former leader of Hamas for Muslims worldwide to stage demonstrations in support of Palestinians in a 'day of rage' on Friday, urging people living in countries near the Gaza Strip to join the fighting against Israel.5
  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets on Friday around the world in several countries with large Muslim populations, such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Clashes between protesters and police were reported in Berlin as Germany also banned all activity lauding the Hamas attack.6

Sources: 1BBC News, 2National Review, 3Politico, 4Reuters, 5Washington Post and 6Sky News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Le Monde. The Israel-Hamas conflict can stoke tensions in France — home to some of Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish populations. While Israel defends itself, the French government is duty bound to ensure the conflict doesn't destabilize the country. Antisemitism and terrorism must be condemned, irrespective of who perpetuates it.
  • Narrative B, as provided by AA. The ban is a threat to freedom of expression. Europe, particularly France, is governed by civil law, which means every citizen has the right to take a stand and protest. It's unfair to forbid natives from supporting the Palestinian people when no such restrictions have been announced for people standing by Israel.
  • Narrative C, as provided by Bloomberg. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with Palestine. However, the definition between pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas is blurred in the latest conflict. While the protestors must refrain from glorifying the terrorists, the governments mustn't set a dangerous precedent by threatening the full force of law.

Predictions