Protests took place in Paris on Wednesday as people rallied against a controversial gala hosted by right-wing figures in support of Israel. The event aimed to generate funding for the Israeli military, featuring notable guests like Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
These demonstrations were timed just before an important soccer match at France’s national stadium, where the Israeli national team was set to play, creating a backdrop of heightened tensions related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. In anticipation of the match, Paris authorities announced the deployment of over 4,000 police officers along with 1,600 staff members at the stadium to maintain order.
Smotrich, who is known for his strong stance on Israeli settlements, had been slated to attend the gala, titled “Israel is Forever,” organized by an organization sharing the same name, which purports to rally French-speaking Zionist supporters. However, following an increase in backlash against the event, it was confirmed that he would not attend.
The invitation to Smotrich drew significant backlash from various local groups, unions, and leftist political parties, spurring two separate protests within the city. Smotrich, a prominent leader among hard-line settlers, has faced accusations of exacerbating tensions in the West Bank, and this week faced international criticism for his statements expressing hope that Donald Trump’s re-election would facilitate Israeli annexation of the West Bank, a move seen as detrimental to Palestinian aspirations for statehood.
The French Foreign Ministry condemned Smotrich’s remarks, stating that they contradicted international law and undermined efforts to ease regional tensions. The ministry reaffirmed its backing of a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully, highlighting this as the only viable approach toward a fair and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Additionally, Nili Kupfer-Naouri, who leads the “Israel is Forever” organization, faced scrutiny for previous controversial statements made during the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, during which she claimed there were no innocent civilians in Gaza.
That evening, numerous protesters marched through central Paris, labeling the gala as a “gala of hatred and shame.” One protester, Melkir Saib, expressed disbelief over the event’s legitimacy, suggesting that similar gatherings for groups like Hezbollah or Hamas would not be tolerated by law enforcement. While the majority of the protest was peaceful, isolated incidents of vandalism occurred, including broken windows at a McDonald’s along the march route.
In a separate demonstration, groups including Jewish leftist organizations opposed to racism and antisemitism assembled near the Arc de Triomphe, voicing their disapproval of the gala and Smotrich’s presence.
French officials defended the event, with Paris police chief Laurent Nunez claiming that the gala did not represent a significant threat to public order. This series of protests emerged in the wake of increasing tensions in both Paris and Amsterdam related to the Mideast conflicts, including a “Free Palestine” banner unveiled during a Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match, and violence involving supporters of an Israeli soccer club in Amsterdam.