Palestine Supporters in France Demand Cancellation of Paris Gala Featuring Israeli Minister
Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in Paris on Thursday, urging French authorities to cancel a Nov. 13 gala expected to feature Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Supporters of Palestine assembled at Trocadero Square near the Eiffel Tower, calling on French authorities to prevent the gala organized by the Israel Forever Foundation.
According to Anadolu, the demonstrators chanted slogans such as “No gala in Paris for Smotrich and his associates” and “Long live Palestinian resistance” to protest Smotrich’s appearance.
Palestinian and Lebanese flags were displayed alongside banners reading “The West is responsible for the genocide in Gaza” and “Murderer Smotrich.”
French politicians, anti-Zionist Jewish civil society groups, and rabbis also joined the protest.
One Jewish rabbi held a banner stating, “True rabbis have always opposed Zionism and the state of Israel.”
In October, Thomas Portes, a lawmaker from the France Unbowed party, formally requested that the Paris Police Department cancel Smotrich’s attendance.
On Nov. 4, six organizations, including the French Human Rights League, issued a joint statement calling for the gala to be canceled.
