Protests broke out in Paris on Wednesday in response to a gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel. The event, named 'Israel is Forever,' aimed to raise funds for the Israeli military and had invited Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as a guest.
The demonstrations coincided with a high-stakes soccer match between France and the Israeli national team, highlighting tensions surrounding the conflicts in the Middle East. To ensure security, over 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff were deployed for the game.
Despite initial plans for Smotrich to attend the gala, his office later confirmed that he would not be traveling to Paris for the event. The invitation to the minister sparked criticism from local associations, unions, and left-wing political parties, leading to two protests in the French capital.
Smotrich, known for his advocacy of Israeli settlements, faced backlash for his remarks supporting the annexation of the West Bank, which drew international condemnation. The French Foreign Ministry labeled his statements as contrary to international law and detrimental to peace efforts in the region.
The 'Israel is Forever' association, responsible for organizing the gala, also faced scrutiny due to past controversial statements made by its president, Nili Kupfer-Naouri.
Protesters took to the streets of Paris, denouncing the gala as a 'gala of hatred and shame.' While the march remained largely peaceful, some individuals vandalized a McDonald's restaurant along the route.
Another group, comprising Jewish leftist organizations opposed to racism and antisemitism, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe to protest against the event and Smotrich.
Paris authorities defended the gala, with the police chief stating that it posed no significant threat to public order. The protests in Paris followed recent tensions in the city and Amsterdam related to the conflicts in the Middle East, including incidents during a Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match and violence targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club in Amsterdam.
