Protests erupted in Paris on Wednesday as hundreds marched through central Paris, denouncing a controversial gala organised by far-right figures to support Israel as a “gala of hatred and shame.”
Called Israel is Forever, the gala was planned by a coalition of pro-Israel groups of the same name whose stated goal was to “mobilise French-speaking Zionist forces”.
The event, aimed at raising funds for the Israeli military, featured the far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as one of its invited guests.
However, after days of growing criticism of the event and calls for his arrest upon arrival for complicity in war crimes, Smotrich’s office confirmed on Wednesday that the far-right minister would not travel to Paris to participate.
Smotrich is a vocal advocate of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The controversial Israeli politician has also openly called for the complete annexation of the West Bank and the ethnic cleansing of Gaza.
On Monday, Smotrich drew global outrage after saying he hopes the election of Donald Trump will clear the way for the Israeli annexation of the West Bank — a step that would end the prospects of a Palestinian state.
The French Foreign Ministry called Smotrich’s remarks “contrary to international law” and counterproductive to efforts to reduce regional tensions.
“France reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, which is the only prospect for a just and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the ministry said in a statement.
The controversy around the event was only heightened when pro-Palestinian critics of the event pointed that the president of Israel is Forever, Nili Kupfer-Naouri, said last year that “no Palestinian in Gaza is innocent”.
This prompted hundreds of protesters to march through area of Paris city centre, denouncing the gala as “genocidal” and accusing it of promoting “hatred”.
“Imagine if an association were hosting a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas – there’s no way the police would allow that,” said Melkir Saib, a 30-year-old protester. “The situation is just unfair.”
A separate group, including Jewish leftist organisations, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe chanting slogans against the gala and Smotrich.
The protests against the gala come ahead of a football match in Paris on Thursday between France and Israeli national team, overshadowed by Israel’s war on Gaza and its assault on Lebanon.
Authorities in Paris announced that more than 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for the game.