Protests erupt in Paris after a pro-Israel gala organized by far-right figures

PARIS (AP) — Protests erupted in Paris on Wednesday against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was among the guests at the event, intended to raise money for the Israeli army.

The demonstrations took place on the eve of a high-stakes football match at the French national stadium against the Israeli national team, overshadowed by tensions over the wars in the Middle East. The authorities in Paris announced this more than 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium employees will be deployed for the match.

Smotrich, an outspoken proponent of Israeli settlementswas expected to attend Wednesday’s gala, called “Israel is Forever,” which was planned by an association of the same name. The group’s stated goal is to “mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces.”

After days of mounting criticism of the event, Smotrich’s office confirmed on Wednesday that the minister would not travel to Paris to participate.

But the invitation to Smotrich drew sharp criticism from local associations, unions and left-wing political parties, sparking two protests in the French capital. The minister, a hardline settler leader, has been accused of stoking tensions in the West Bank and drew international condemnation this week, saying he hopes the election of Donald Trump will pave the way for Israeli annexation of the West Bank – a step that would destroy Palestinian dreams of statehood.

The French Foreign Ministry called Smotrich’s comments “contrary to international law” and counterproductive to efforts to reduce regional tensions.

“France reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, which is the only prospect of a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the ministry said. in a statement.

Critics also pointed to Nili Kupfer-Naouri, president of the association ‘Israel is Forever’, who sparked outrage in 2023, after the war between Israel and Hamas began, when she tweeted that ‘no civilian in Gaza was innocent’ .

On Wednesday evening, several hundred demonstrators marched through central Paris, calling the event a “gala of hatred and shame.”

“Imagine if an association organized a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas – the police would not allow that in any way,” said Melkir Saib, a 30-year-old protester. “The situation is just unfair.”

The march was largely peaceful, but some protesters broke windows at a McDonald’s along the route.

A separate group, including Jewish left-wing organizations opposed to racism and anti-Semitism, gathered at the Arc de Triomphe and chanted slogans against the gala and Smotrich.

French authorities defended the event, with Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stating that the gala “did not pose a major threat to public order.”

The protests came days after tensions flared in Paris and Amsterdam over conflicts in the Middle East. During a Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, a large banner reading ‘Free Palestine’ was displayed as violence broke out in Amsterdam last week aimed at fans of an Israeli football club.

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