Protests Break Out in Paris Over Pro-Israel Gala Organized by Distant Figures

PARIS – Protests broke out in Paris on Wednesday against a controversial rally organized by far-right pro-Israel figures. The event, which aims to raise money for the Israeli military, includes Israel’s Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, among its invited guests.

The protests took place on the eve of a high-profile soccer match at the French national stadium with the Israeli national team, which has been overshadowed by tensions over the Middle East wars. Authorities in Paris have announced that more than 4,000 police officers and 1,600 field staff will be deployed for the game.

Smotrich, who is a spokesman for Israeli settlements, was expected to attend Wednesday’s celebration, called “Israel is Forever,” organized by the organization of the same name. The purpose of this group is to “unite the French-speaking Zionist forces.”

After days of growing criticism of the event, Smotrich’s office confirmed on Wednesday that the minister would not travel to Paris to participate.

But the invitation to Smotrich drew sharp criticism from local associations, unions and left-wing political parties, sparking two protests in the French capital. The minister, who is a settler leader, is accused of stoking tensions in the West Bank and drew international criticism this week for saying he hoped the election of Donald Trump would pave the way for Israel to take over the West Bank – a move that has been made. it would extinguish the dreams of a Palestinian state.

The French Foreign Ministry called Smotrich’s comments “contrary to international law” and helpful in efforts to reduce regional tensions.

“France reiterates its commitment to achieving a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine live together in peace and security, which is the only hope to resolve the conflict in Israel and Palestine,” said the minister. in the statement.

Critics also pointed to Nili Kupfer-Naouri, the president of the “Israel is Forever” movement, who caused outrage in 2023, after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, when he tweeted that “no citizen of Gaza is innocent.”

On Wednesday night, several hundred protesters marched through central Paris, denouncing the event as “a series of hate and shame.”

“Imagine if the association had an event to celebrate Hezbollah or Hamas – there is no way the police would allow that,” said Melkir Saib, a 30-year-old protester. “The situation is not good.”

The march was peaceful, but some protesters broke the windows of a McDonald’s along the route.

A different group, which includes leftist Jewish organizations against racism and anti-Semitism, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe chanting slogans against the gala and Smotrich.

French authorities defended the event, with Paris police chief Laurent Nunez saying the rally “does not pose a serious threat to public order.”

The protests came days after clashes broke out in Paris and Amsterdam linked to the Mideast conflict. A large “Free Palestine” banner was displayed during Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, as violence erupted in Amsterdam last week against fans of the Israeli soccer club.