Several rallies in support of Palestine were organized this Saturday throughout France, notably in Paris where Jean-Luc Mélenchon was present. The leader of the Insoumis, criticized since the start of the conflict for not having described Hamas as “terrorist” and having criticized a visit to Israel by the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet, called before the Parisian demonstration for a immediate “ceasefire” in Gaza, where according to him “a terrible massacre” is taking place due to Israeli bombings.
At least a thousand people left Place de la République at 3 p.m. to head towards Nation. Leila Gharbi, a 46-year-old legal assistant, who holds a Palestinian flag, came to “stop the genocide”: “We need an immediate ceasefire.” At his side, his daughter Inès, a 21-year-old student, wants “the barbarity to stop”. Keltoum Alouache came “for the children of Gaza and Palestine”. “We are against no one,” specifies this 75-year-old Algerian retiree, who is holding a Palestinian flag.
Between 600 and 2,000 demonstrators in Toulouse, 1,000 in Strasbourg
“Free Palestine” and “Cease fire, stop bombing civilians!” “, proclaim some of the signs. Alongside the majority slogans of support for Gaza, others target Israel such as “State of Israel murderer, Macron accomplice”, launched into the microphone of an NPA truck. “Boycott Israel” or “Israel is a terrorist state!” ”, we also read on certain signs.
This demonstration, called by associations, unions and political parties, was not banned by the police headquarters, which reminded people in advance that it would not tolerate “any excess”. This is the first mobilization in support of the Palestinian people that is not prohibited and is not static. A gathering has already taken place Thursday evening in Paris, also authorized, with 2,000 people.
Other demonstrations and gatherings are planned in France, notably in Bordeaux, Orléans, Rouen and Nice. In Strasbourg, there were also at least a thousand shouting “So, so, so, solidarity with the Gazans” or “Israel terrorist, Macron complicit”. “We are here to denounce the “genocide” that is happening in Gaza, the silence of the world and Macron’s support for the Israeli government,” denounces Fella Lebbihiat, 38, Palestinian flag in hand. In the morning, a peaceful march in Toulouse brought together between 2,000 people, according to the CGT, and “more than 600”, according to the prefecture. Among the banners: “Israel assassin, Macron complicit” or “Supporting Palestine is not a crime”.