France witnessed on Saturday a protest in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. 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.

French Members of Parliament Mathilde Panot and Eric Coquerel, affiliated with the leftist French Unbowed (LFI) party, attended the march amid criticism for their party's "unclear position on anti-Semitism."

#Watch | Thousands protest in #Paris, #France, against the Israeli aggression that has been ongoing against the Palestinians in #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/a2vMyAvNJ6

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 11, 2023

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.

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

Author Christophe Oberline stated that the armed group attempted to forcefully enter the gathering by trying to break down the hall's door but was unsuccessful.

Organizer Jerome Faynel identified the attackers as the "extreme right" and noted they were armed with iron bars and glass bottles. The police prefecture confirmed at least one arrest and strongly condemned the committed violence.

Thousands of people march in in Paris, France, in protest of the ongoing Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people.#GazaGenocide #CeasefireInGazaNOW pic.twitter.com/Bf2gCuMSyW

— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) November 11, 2023

However, in a spin of events, French President Emmanuel Macron made a statement on Saturday 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.

France proposes law to sanction anti-Zionism

This comes after 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.

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

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.