A major demonstration is scheduled for this Sunday, November 12th in the afternoon in Paris, with rallies planned across France to denounce the rise in antisemitic acts since the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel.
On summary:
– The presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, Yaël Braun-Pivet and Gérard Larcher, have called for a “civic march” against antisemitism for Sunday, November 12th. The procession is set to depart at 3 p.m. from the Invalides, with no speeches or platforms planned.
– After much hesitation, Emmanuel Macron will ultimately only be present “in spirit and thought” at the march, denouncing “a lot of confusion” and “political opportunism.”
– Jean-Luc Mélenchon has sparked controversy by refusing to participate in this initiative with his party La France insoumise, due to the lack of a demand for a ceasefire in the bullet points of the march.
– The announced presence of the National Rally (RN) has provoked a strong reaction from left-wing organizations and parties, who will march behind a common banner in a “republican cordon” against the far-right.
In Strasbourg, RN officials distance themselves from the history of their party. At the foot of the war memorial in Republic Square, regional councilor Nathalie Aubert (National Rally) stands alongside her colleague Christian Zimmermann and far-right euro-deputy Virginie Joron. She admits that some of the founder of the National Front’s comments are “inexcusable” before clarifying, to distance herself from the party’s past: “I wasn’t born at the time of those comments.” Asked about her participation in other demonstrations, she explains that she rarely takes to the streets. She does not even remember the last cause for which she protested: “I find it sad that we are debating who can participate in this march or not. Everyone must fight against this scourge, all together. I was elected, but today I am a citizen and I march as such.” By Guillaume Krempp in Strasbourg.
In Paris, the left-wing rally “against racism and antisemitism” comes to an end. The organizers have called for the “necessary fight against antisemitism, all forms of racism, and the far-right that distracts from our struggles.” Then, after brief speeches from student organizations highlighting the responsibility of the Vichy police force in the Vél-d’Hiv roundup and the deportation of French and foreign Jews, the demonstrators were called to disperse. The disruptors also left, but under the watch of law enforcement. A police cordon still surrounds the monument dedicated to the martyrs of the Vél-d’Hiv, preventing the laying of various wreaths. By Maxime Macé.
These are just a few of the many developments and reactions to the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel and the rise in antisemitic acts. This conflict continues to have widespread effects and is sparking a range of responses and opinions across France and beyond.
