Protests Erupt in Paris Over Pro-Israel Gala

Protests erupted in Paris on Wednesday against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures in support of Israel. event, intended to raise funds for Israeli military, included Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich among its invited guests.

demonstrations came on eve of a high-stakes soccer match at France's national stium against Israeli national team, overshowed by tensions around wars in Middle East. Authorities in Paris announced that more than 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stium staff will be deployed for game.

Smotrich, a vocal vocate of Israeli settlements, h been expected to attend Wednesday's gala, dubbed "Israel is Forever," which was planned by an association of same name. group's stated goal is to "mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces."

After days of growing criticism of event, Smotrich's office confirmed Wednesday that minister would not travel to Paris to participate.

But invitation to Smotrich drew sharp criticism from local associations, unions and left-wing political parties, prompting two protests in French capital. minister, a hard-line settler leer, has been accused of inflaming tensions in West Bank and drew international condemnations this week by saying he hopes election of Donald Trump will clear way for Israeli annexation of West Bank — a step that would extinguish Palestinian statehood dreams.

French Foreign Ministry called Smotrich's remarks "contrary to international law" and counterproductive to efforts to reduce regional tensions.

"France reiterates its commitment to implementation of two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, which is only prospect for a just and lasting settlement of Israeli-Palestinian conflict," ministry said in a statement.

Critics also pointed at Nili Kupfer-Naouri, president of "Israel is Forever" association, who sparked outrage in 2023, after Israel-Hamas war started, when she tweeted that "no civilian in Gaza was innocent."
On Wednesday night, several hundred protesters marched through central Paris, denouncing event as a "gala of hatred and shame."

"Imagine if an association were hosting a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas — re's no way police would allow that," said Melkir Saib, a 30-year-old protester. " situation is just unfair."
march was largely peaceful, but some demonstrators broke windows at a McDonald's along route.

A separate group, including Jewish leftist organizations opposed to racism and antisemitism, gared near Arc de Triomphe chanting slogans against gala and Smotrich.
French authorities defended event, with Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stating that gala posed "no major threat to public order."

protests came days after tensions flared in Paris and Amsterdam related to conflicts in Mideast. A massive "Free Palestine" banner was displayed during a Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match against Atletico Mrid, while violence broke out in Amsterdam last week targeting fans of an Israeli soccer club.