French MP calls for sanctioning Netanyahu amid genocide

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Jan 2024 15:30
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Thomas Portes, the French Parliament member, of the "France Unbowed" party, questions the presence of an Israeli ambassador in Paris amid the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

An undated image of Thomas Portes, Deputy of the French National Assembly. (Social Media)

Responding to a post by Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Thomas Portes, the French Parliament member of the "La France Insoumise" (France Unbowerd) party, criticized the Israeli ambassador's presence in Paris and urged the French government to sanction "Israel" for committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Portes called Netanyahu a "right-wing fanatic" who is "addicted to hatred of the Palestinians". The member of parliament also noted that Netanyahu "must be put out of his misery."

The member of parliament then added "France must immediately engage in a process of sanctions against Israel," noting that "This raises the question of the presence of an ambassador here in France" as "These people [Israelis] are organizing genocide, and we cannot stand by and watch."

Ce fanatique d’extrême-droite shooté à la haine du palestinien doit être mis hors d’état de nuire.
La France doit s’engager immédiatement dans un processus de sanctions contre Israël.
La question de la présence d’un ambassadeur ici en France se pose.
Ces gens organisent un… https://t.co/BErBXmGfDA
— Thomas Portes (@Portes_Thomas) December 30, 2023

France doubling down on pro-Palestine rallies

These comments came in response to 87 days of genocide committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinians, and a recent address Netanyahu wherein he said, "I refused to give in to international pressure demanding an end to the war before our objectives are achieved."

This comes as France has been doubling down against protestors calling for an immediate ceasefire and urging an end to the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

A few days ago, a pro-Palestinian protest that was supposed to take place in Nice on December 30 was blocked by the French authorities, according to French media.

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.

France proposes law to sanction anti-Zionism

Back in November, and 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.