France bans show of support for Palestine in Nice as it blocks rally

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Dec 2023 16:09
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French authorities ban the people of Nice from coming together in a pro-Palestine protest calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

People chant slogans holding a banner that reads 'From Gaza to Paris - Resistance - Emergency Palestine' during a pro-Palestinian rally, in Paris, Saturday, November 18, 2023. (AP)

A pro-Palestinian protest that was supposed to take place in Nice on December 30 has been blocked by the French authorities, according to French media, on Thursday.

The demonstration was planned by a number of associations calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to the BFMTV channel, adding that the associations had already resolved to oppose the government's decision and come together in protest of the Israeli-genocide on the Gaza Strip.

This comes after French President Emmanuel Macron demanded a "lasting ceasefire" in Gaza during a call with Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday, his office said.

"France will work in the coming days in cooperation with Jordan to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza," the French presidency mentioned in a statement.

Macron, an ally of Netanyahu since the start of the aggression on Gaza on October 7, told the Israeli premier of his "deepest concern" about civilian deaths and the humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

He also insisted on the importance of measures to end violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank and prevent new planned settlements.

Paris protesters demand Gaza ceasefire despite protest bans

Back in November, France witnessed a protest in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza despite the ban. Demonstrators raised the slogan "Stop the massacre in Gaza" as the war against the Gaza Strip reached its 36th day. The organizers of the demonstration, who belong to the left wing in France, called for an "immediate ceasefire."

"I came to support the Palestinian cause, for a ceasefire in Gaza," said engineer Ahlem Triki, with a Palestinian flag over her shoulders.

Gaza ceasefire rallies also took place in other French towns including Marseille, Toulouse, Rennes, and Bordeaux. "This mobilization is essential, in the face of massacres," said LFI coordinator Manuel Bompard at the demonstration of about 1,300 people in Marseille.

In Lyon, a Palestinian event featuring two books by a Gaza-working surgeon was attacked, leaving at least three people with minor injuries, as reported by police and witnesses on Saturday evening.

In a spin of events, Macron made a statement, earlier, in support of the Palestinians killed in Gaza. Macron said the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip "have no reason or legitimacy and must be stopped".

"De facto - today, civilians are bombed - de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy," Macron told the BBC.

In an exclusive interview at the Élysée Palace, he said there was "no justification" for the bombing. While still saying "Israel" has the "right to defend itself," he still called for an end to the relentless bombing.

"We do urge Israel to stop," he said.

Regarding calls for a ceasefire, Macron hoped that other Western countries would join his call and agree to a ceasefire.

His statement comes after he criticized Israeli proposals to force residents into alleged "safe zones" in the southern part of Gaza, adding that the world has to work on a humanitarian ceasefire as the only means of preserving life in the region.