Israel

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

OCT 13 2023·Updated OCT 14 2023

Story

Image credit: Remon Haazen [via Getty Images]

The Facts

Police in Paris used teargas 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.
BBC News
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."
National Review
According to Darmanin, more than 100 antisemitic 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."
Politico
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.
Reuters
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.
wapo
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.
Sky News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

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 dutybound to ensure the conflict doesn't destabilize the country. Antisemitism and terrorism must be condemned, irrespective of who perpetuates it.

Le Monde

Narrative B

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

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.