France: The French government has announced a ban on pro-Palestinian protests. The police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters supporting the Palestinians, right after the ban.
The Interior Minister, Mr. Gerald Darmanin, has ordered to ban all pro-Palestine demonstrations in the name of “public order.”
Israel has been bombing the Gaza Strip for six days, resulting in over 1,400 casualties, thousands of injuries, and extensive destruction of neighborhoods in the already-besieged territory, which is now completely cut off.
The bombing started on October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian group Hamas made an unusual attack inside Israeli territory. Over 1,300 individuals have lost their lives in Israel, and Hamas has taken at least 100 people as captives.
Mr. Darmanin mentioned that they’ve arrested at least 24 people in France for “anti-Semitic acts” since October 7, 2023. The Interior Minister added that he thinks any non-national who does such things should be promptly removed from France.
France has the biggest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe, and situations abroad can sometimes raise tensions within the country.
No restrictions have been announced for events in support of Israel, as per the statement.
“Let’s not add, through illusions or calculations, domestic divides to international divides. The shield of unity will protect us from hatred and excesses,” French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron remarked.
Mr. Macron said that 13 French citizens lost their lives in the Hamas attack. Additionally, 17 individuals, including children, are unaccounted for. Some of them might be among the group held captive by Hamas in Gaza, which includes Israelis and foreigners.