Fears grow in France. Macron is sounding the alarm
1:22 PM EDT, October 20, 2023
- There's a risk of divisions in France if the situation arising from the conflict in the Middle East is poorly managed, stated French President Emmanuel Macron last Thursday. Protests in defense of Palestine took place that day in Paris. France has been living in fear of attacks for the week.
Several thousand people gathered on Thursday evening at Republic Square in Paris for a pro-Palestinian demonstration, which had previously been banned by the police prefecture, reports "Le Figaro". The administrative court allowed its conduct after the start of the assembly.
Demonstrations in Paris. Macron speaks out
The peaceful demonstration started around 12:30 PM Eastern Time and was surrounded by the police. After a few thousand people gathered, the administrative court in Paris suspended the ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations issued by the prefecture. After this decision, the police withdrew from the square.
A minute of silence also took place in the square, during which a few shouts were heard: "Allahu Akbar!" and "Israel is a murderer, and Macron is an accomplice!".
"France in fear"
France has been living in fear of attacks for a week after a knife-wielder associated with radical Islam murdered a teacher in Arras in the northern part of the country.
Macron reacts. "There is a risk of divisions"
President Emmanuel Macron has spoken on the events in the Middle East and protests in France.
- There is a risk of divisions in France if the situation resulting from the conflict in the Middle East is poorly managed - he stated.
- We are all Frenchmen and Frenchwomen, we cannot import this conflict from the Middle East. We have the largest Jewish community in Europe and a large number of young people from the Middle East, North Africa, and Africa. We also have many young Muslim people - he admitted.
"There are very radical elements inside."
When asked why pro-Palestinian demonstrations are being banned, Macron, who returned on Thursday from Arras, where a murdered teacher's funeral took place a week ago, spoke of a "decency period" after the attack.
- I see people who want to demonstrate peacefully, but in the midst, there are very radical elements who want to burn Israeli flags and defend Hamas - he added.
