On October 22, 2023, Place de la République in Paris was the scene of a major demonstration in support of the residents of the Gaza Strip, demanding an immediate end to Israel’s military operations. Thousands of people gathered peacefully, displaying Palestinian flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
Supervised by a substantial security system, this gathering marked a turning point, being the first Parisian demonstration not to have been initially banned by the Police Prefecture. This authorization was made possible thanks to the lifting of the systematic ban on gatherings, decided by the Council of State.
The crowd gathered in Republic Square expressed their desire to see an end to the violence that has been raging in Gaza for two weeks, following Hamas attacks on Israeli territory. The demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Israel assassin, Macron complicit” or “no peace without decolonization”, thus expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The MP for La France insoumise, Aurélie Trouvé, who was present during the demonstration, estimated the number of participants at more than 30,000 people. According to official figures from the Police Headquarters, around 15,000 people took part in this event.
Among the demonstrators’ demands were the demand for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the massacre in Gaza. The collective “For a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis”, at the initiative of this mobilization, displayed a banner calling on France to act in favor of peace.
Several political figures and organizations were present at this gathering, including the CGT, the FSU, the AFPS, France Insoumise and many others. Calls for new mobilization were launched for the following days.
Beyond politics and demands, this demonstration demonstrated strong solidarity with the Palestinians, highlighting emotion and indignation at the suffering suffered by the population of Gaza.
Similar rallies also took place in other cities in France, notably in Marseille, where around a thousand people mobilized for a “peace rally”.
It is important to emphasize that tensions in the Middle East have tragic consequences for civilian populations on both sides. More than 1,400 people have lost their lives in Israel since the start of Hamas attacks, mainly civilians, while in the Gaza Strip, more than 4,650 Palestinians have been killed, mostly civilians, in Hamas bombings. Israeli army.
This demonstration in Paris gave voice to the voices calling for an end to violence and the establishment of lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.. The continued mobilization of civil society is essential to make these demands heard and support peace efforts in the region.