Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have gathered in the centre of Paris to protest against the upcoming visit of Benjamin Netanyahu to the French capital. The Israeli Prime Minister is due to meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.
À la manifestation pro-palestinienne #Paris #Palestine pic.twitter.com/gf8tEIA436
— Lucas RT France (@lucas_rtfrance) December 9, 2017
People carrying Palestinian flags gathered in Place de la République in the capital on Saturday, as seen from photos and videos on social media. Some protesters were holding signs reading “Boycott Israel” and “Free Palestine.”
https://twitter.com/lucas_rtfrance/status/939501825983643648
Others held banners saying that US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu “follow Nazi steps”.
In the meantime, a much smaller group of pro-Israeli protesters also gathered in Place de la République.
Une femme portant un drapeau israélien à la manifestation pro-palestinienne de #Paris se fait évacuer par la police pic.twitter.com/k0uFbg4Qs0
— Lucas RT France (@lucas_rtfrance) December 9, 2017
The protest was organized by a number of groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations and the Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties (DFLL).
The statement on the DFLL website calling for rallies on Saturday says that despite Macron’s criticism of Trump’s Jerusalem decision, the French leader is still welcoming Netanyahu to Paris.
??Manifestation croisée Place de la République contre et pour Benjamin Netanyahou à l'occasion de son déplacement à #Paris. Présence de nombreux CRS.#Netanyahu #Israel #Republique #Palestine #Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/G3wSu12LNb
— Charles Baudry (@CharlesBaudry) December 9, 2017
The statement goes on to call Netanyahu a “war criminal” who pursues an agenda of “deadly occupation”.
Tensions are running high across the globe after Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Massive protests have been held across the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
(RT, PC, Social Media)
