Pro-Israeli Protest to be held in Paris Thursday evening, July 31

July 29, 2014

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) reported earlier this week that a protest in support of Israel is scheduled for this Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Israeli Embassy in Paris. 

In recent weeks, there have been a series of pro-Palestinian protests in Paris and its surrounding suburbs, causing unrest amongst the French Jewish community. There have been multiple incidents of anti-Semitic violence, such as in the French suburb of Sarcelles on July 20 during a Pro-Palestinian manifestation.

In response to these actions, CRIF, along with several Jewish associations in France, are calling for the "joint gathering of the friends of Israel." For 21 days, Israel has been engaged in a war against the terrorists of Hamas, CRIF declares. The organization affirms "the right of Israel to defend itself against the blind attacks aimed at its population."

There are no scheduled speeches for tonight's protest, states CRIF, but those present will hear the national anthems of both France and Israel, accompanied with prayers made by the Chief Rabbi of France. According to an official at a police station in Paris, the movement tonight will be accompanied with a heavy police presence—the station confirms that a sufficient number of policemen will be present and on alert at the time of the gathering. 

Between 2,000 and 5,000 protestors have already gathered this past weekend on Sunday, July 27th to express their support for Israel in France's second-largest city, Marseille. 

Tonight's protest will be the first pro-Israeli gathering organized in the French capital since the beginning of the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas, which has entered its fourth week.

Another Pro-Palestinian protest is scheduled for this Saturday, August 2nd in Paris.