In an effort to silence pro-Palestinian voices and pro-Palestinian activism, a group of 16 French senators, the majority of whom are members of the political party The Republicans (LR), submitted a bill, led by Senator Stéphane Le Rudulier, to make anti-Zionism a criminal felony.

Senator Le Rudulier claims that the surge in anti-Semitism is linked to anti-"Israel" sentiment.

The proposed bill, which was introduced to the Senate for a first reading, includes sanctions for numerous movements against Zionism and "Israel's" criminal acts. It intends to penalize anyone who denies the existence of the "State of Israel" with one year in prison and a EUR 45,000 fine.

Those who insult the Israeli occupation would face two years in prison and a EUR 75,000 fine, while those who explicitly incite hatred or violence against the occupation face five years in prison and a EUR 100,000 fine.

“With 16 senators we demand the criminalization of anti-Zionism. The explosion of anti-Semitism is fueled by hatred of Israel, the false nose of hatred of Jews Anti-Zionism could expose its perpetrators to up to 5 years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros,” Le Rudulier stated on X.

Avec 16 sénateurs nous demandons la pénalisation de l’antisionisme

L’explosion de l’antisémitisme se nourrit de la haine d’Israel, faux nez de la haine des Juifs

L’antisionisme pourrait exposer ses auteurs jusqu’à 5 ans de prison et 75.000 euros d’amende pic.twitter.com/txVvCJRLvE

— Stéphane Le Rudulier (@slerudulier) October 31, 2023

Senator Le Rudulier has also called for the abolition of La France Insoumise, as well as supporters of Hamas, which he claims calls for the "destruction of Israel and the annihilation of Jews."

The senator, in a letter to Élisabeth Borne, condemns the presence of a "fifth column of Palestinian terrorism in France" and calls for the dissolution of various political groups accused of allegedly "inciting terrorism."

Pro-Palestinian protesters hit with huge fines in France

Earlier on Thursday, the abrupt cancellation of the permit for a pro-Palestine protest march in France provided legal grounds for the police to employ a form of political repression reminiscent of the measures taken during the yellow vests protests – imposing substantial fines.

Just 90 minutes prior to a highly anticipated pro-Palestine march scheduled to take place in Paris last weekend to denounce 'Israel's' atrocities in Gaza, local authorities suddenly rescinded the protest permit.

Watch | #French Police attack and use gas canisters to disperse pro-#Palestine protesters in Paris.#France pic.twitter.com/UYRFN6VOSq

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 12, 2023

This last-minute cancellation empowered the French police to enforce significant fines. Out of the approximately 4,000 attendees, 1,400 demonstrators were fined €135 each, resulting in nearly €200,000 collected from the pockets of peaceful protesters, many of whom were unaware of the sudden protest ban.

While some of the fines may be waived because of the contentious permit cancellation, the initial amounts were extensively covered by the media. The fines are evidently a tactic employed to discourage individuals from publicly expressing support for Palestine.

Read next: France bans pro-Palestine protests, police clashes with protesters