At the request of French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanan, the Paris Police Department issued a decision on Thursday banning the demonstration in support of the Palestinian people, which was scheduled for this afternoon in Paris, alleging "risks of disturbing public security," a decision condemned by the organizers and the leftist "France" party.

On his Twitter account, Darmanan justified his request to prevent demonstrations by saying that it came in order to avoid a repeat of the riots and riots that occurred in 2014 in the French capital, and the Paris Police Department complied with instructions banning the demonstration that was scheduled today between the "Barbais" area in the 18th district and the "Bastille" Square .

Prior to this decision, a demonstration was banned last Wednesday in "Anvalide" Square in Paris 3 hours before its start, although the organizers obtained approval from the Police Directorate allowing them to demonstrate, and the police also arrested its organizer, Bertrand Heilbronn, president of the French Solidarity Association with Palestine, He was kept under surveillance for several hours.

Le canon à eau est utilisé à #Barbes à l'encontre des manifestants.

#Palestine pic.twitter.com/VaTph2fd4W

- Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) May 15, 2021

Commenting on what happened, Heilbronn said that they went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue of rejection, and upon the end of the meeting, he was surprised that there were three policemen in front of the entrance to the ministry telling him that he was under arrest.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, he added that the ministry’s decision is pushing toward a societal confrontation in France, which we certainly do not want. Demonstrations took place in the cities of Grenoble and Bordeaux this week and passed in a peaceful atmosphere.

The excuses used by the French government did not convince the event-based organizations (Anatolia)

Wrong excuse

Like other countries in the world, French associations have sought to organize events denouncing the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank and within the Green Line, but the authorities there refuse to approve them so far.

Commenting on these decisions, the head of Amnesty International in Paris, Cecile Codreau, strongly denounced the ban on protests, and said that the authorities' decision is illegal under international law, especially when they use the wrong excuse.

She added in her interview to Al-Jazeera Net, "We have noticed a contradiction in the health crisis being used as a pretext for prevention, because there have been demonstrations around the climate recently and have not been prevented. The decision to ban is an arbitrary decision and is inconsistent with the decisions previously taken."

Codreau added that it is the duty of the Minister of the Interior to maintain security, of course, but also to guarantee the right to demonstrate. "It is not his duty to restrict freedom of expression and assembly in the streets. France has made international commitments, and again it does not respect them."

For its part, the "Euro-Palestine" association questioned the position of France, which is called the country of "human rights", rejecting the demonstrations, while huge solidarity demonstrations are taking place with Palestine, Jerusalem and Gaza all over the world.

Democracy provocation

Politicians and trade unionists have also responded strongly to the ban, including the leader of the "rebel France" party, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who wrote on Twitter, “France is the only country in the world where all pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli demonstrations are prohibited from the far-right Israeli government, and it is clear that the only purpose is ... Stirring up accidents, provoking democracy and stigmatizing this issue. "

The president of the French Solidarity Association with Palestine told Al-Jazeera Net, "We must continue this internal battle in France," as it is a battle for French opinion, freedom of expression and democratic rights, "which we must win for the sake of solidarity with the Palestinian people."

Organizations called demonstrators to protest despite the ban (Anatolia)

Political agendas

Supporting the Palestinian cause has always been a sensitive issue in France, especially with regard to the role of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). While the supporters of the cause see it as a legitimate resistance movement, the French government describes it as a "terrorist".

Nasser Zuhair, a political writer and consultant in international relations in Paris, says that France was sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, but this position was scattered under the government of Emmanuel Macron, and many papers were scattered in France's foreign policy.

He added, in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net, that the government's rhetoric has unfortunately become in line with the extreme right, or perhaps trying to win their votes, "France's position is foggy today, and it is not pressure on Israel."

Heilbronn believes that there are "fascist groups" affecting the French government, trying to silence the voices of solidarity with Palestine and threatening to attack the pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

He notes that, last Thursday, an activist was beaten in the Clermont-Ferrand area for wearing a Palestinian shirt.

He says that clearly there is pressure behind the Darmanan decision from the strongly supportive of Israel groups that have power and influence in the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Parliament, so it would be interesting to monitor whether the government would also prohibit a pro-Israel protest if he suggested it later.

Avant plusieurs charges, l'ordre de “vous me dégagez tout ces connards” à Barbes.

#Barbes #Palestine pic.twitter.com/9pSXfugOxg

- Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) May 15, 2021

Warnings and concerns

Despite the ban, the organizations called on demonstrators to protest, which could expose them to a fine of 135 euros per person.

The French authorities fear "slipping and disturbing public order," and Heilbronn hopes that the police officers will not provoke the demonstrators, stressing that "it is their duty to protect us, it is their role and responsibility."

The head of Amnesty International also renewed her demand for the authorities to allow solidarity with Palestinian citizens, but she also expressed her fear of today's protests as it could lead to escalation and clashes with the police, which is not desirable at present.