Expressing support for the Palestinian cause in France has become increasingly difficult. A new UN report accuses France of “severely repressing” pro-Palestinian demonstrations that followed the latest conflict in Gaza.
Hundreds of Legal Proceedings Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of people have been summoned to court simply for participating in peaceful gatherings or expressing solidarity with Palestinians on social media. The charges brought against them are generally related to the apology of terrorism, a serious accusation with potentially severe consequences.
Convictions and Imprisonment Many individuals have already been convicted, some to prison sentences. These convictions have sparked widespread controversy within civil society and among human rights defenders, who denounce a serious infringement on freedom of expression.
Authorized Repression? Initially, French authorities banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, sparking outrage from numerous organizations. Gatherings were later authorized but under increased police surveillance and with strict restrictions.
UN Raises the Alarm The UN report highlights a worrying trend in several Western countries, including France, the United States, Canada, Germany, and Belgium. The UN organization deplores the “restrictions on freedom of expression” and the “repression of protests” targeting supporters of the Palestinian cause.
A Divisive Debate This case has reignited the debate on freedom of expression and its limits. While French authorities justify these prosecutions by the need to combat the apology of terrorism, human rights defenders denounce the instrumentalization of the law to silence any criticism of Israel.
