Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Benzema sues French minister after pro-Gaza stance backlash

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 18 Jan 2024 12:43
2 Min Read

Ex-Real Madrid player Karim Benzema is taking French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin to court for defamation.

  • x
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema claps to supporters during the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sunday, June 4, 2023. (AP)
    Real Madrid's Karim Benzema claps to supporters during the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sunday, June 4, 2023. (AP)

Ex-Real Madrid player Karim Benzema filed a lawsuit against French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin for defamation, following the latter's remarks criticizing the football player's support of Gaza.

In mid-October of 2023, Benzema shared on social media a post that said Palestinians were victims of "unjust bombardment" carried out by "Israel" in the genocide against Gaza. Darmanin then accused him of having ties with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. 

16/10 "Monsieur Benzema est en lien, on le sait tous, avec les Frères musulmans..." (Cnews)
Gérald Darmanin après un tweet de Benzema qui adressait ses prières aux habitants de Gaza
16/01 Karim Benzema porte plainte contre Gérald Darmanin pour diffamation pic.twitter.com/27pYhPiglI

— Destination Télé (@DestinationTele) January 16, 2024

Benzema denied all claims brought forth by the French Minister, saying Darmanin's accusations were aimed at sabotaging the Muslim player's honor and reputation. 

He also added that he was used in political ploys because of his fame when the real discourse that needs to be highlighted is not empty accusations but the Israeli genocide in Gaza. 

Following his remarks in October, Darmanin said he had nothing personal against Benzema but only wanted to note how shocking it was that the football player did not support Israelis amid the catastrophic war on Gaza nor comment on the "Islamist terrorism" that killed a French teacher earlier in January. 

Related News

Gaza war 'could have ended long ago', ex-IOF admit, urging ceasefire

Zamir demands Gaza war strategy as rift with Israeli cabinet grows

The French Minister is apparently also frustrated with Benzema's refusal to sing the French national anthem, in addition to his "proselytizing on social networks."

Notably, it seems like Gerald Darmanin has kept an itinerary of incidents he could use to criticize Benzema.

Read more: Benzema announces retirement from international career with France

Darmanin reflects French extremism 

This does not come as a surprise knowing France's extremism toward "Israel". 

France has opted not to endorse South Africa's genocide case against "Israel" at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), AFP reported, citing the recently inaugurated French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne who claimed that accusing "Israel" of genocide is "immoral".

"Accusing the Jewish state of genocide crosses a moral threshold. The notion of genocide cannot be exploited for political ends," the Foreign Minister said during a parliamentary session.

This comes as the Palestinian Health Ministry revealed that the death toll in Gaza has increased to 24,448 martyrs since the onset of the aggression on October 7, adding that the number of wounded has reached 61,504.

  • Gaza Strip
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • football
  • Karim Benzema
  • Real Madrid
  • France
  • Gaza
  • Israel
  • Gerald Darmanin
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS