France become first country in world to ban pro-Palestine demos

[Ashutosh Lokhande]

France's Socialist government provoked outrage today by becoming the first in the world to ban protests against Israeli action in Palestine.

In what is viewed as an outrageous attack on democracy, Socialist Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said mass demonstrations planned for the weekend should be halted.

Mr Cazeneuve said there was a 'threat to public order', while opponents said he was 'criminalising' popular support of the Palestinian people.

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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take to the streets of Paris on Sunday. France's socialist government has sparked uproar after it banned protests against Israeli action in Palestine

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take to the streets of Paris on Sunday. France's socialist government has sparked uproar after it banned protests against Israeli action in Palestine

Thousands were set to march against the ongoing slaughter in Gaza, calling for an immediate end to hostilities in which civilians including many children have been killed.



But Mr Cazeneuve fears there might be a repeat of the fights between 'ultra' Jewish vigilantes and pro-Palestinians which happened after a demonstration last Sunday.

Referring to the main Paris march, Mr Cazeneuve said: 'I consider that the conditions are not right to guarantee security.'
Socialist Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve fears there might be a repeat of the fights between Jewish vigilantes and pro-Palestinians which happened after a demonstration last Sunday

Socialist Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve fears there might be a repeat of the fights between Jewish vigilantes and pro-Palestinians which happened after a demonstration last Sunday

He welcomed a legal procedure instigated by the Paris police prefecture to ban the march, despite it already being widely advertised.

Anyone who turns up to an illegal demonstration now faces up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine.

If they hide their faces to avoid being identified, this sentence can be increased to three years, and a 45,000 fine.

Even those who publish details of an illegal rally on social media face up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine.

This can be increased to seven years and a 100,000 fine if the postings lead to violence.

Mr Cazeneuve also advised other prefects across France to examine planned marches on a 'case by case' basis, and to ban 'if appropriate'.

But Michele Sibony, of the Jewish Union for Peace, said: 'By outlawing free speech by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, France puts itself in a unique position in the world and Europe.'

And Youssef Boussoumah, of the Party of the Indigenous of the Republic (PIR) said: 'France is criminalising any show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

'This is an absolute outrage, it is a continuation of attempts to muzzle the Palestinian people and to get them and their supporters in France to surrender absolutely to Israel's oppression.'

Sylvie Perrot, another pro-Palestine activist from Paris, said: 'Fascist states stop people demonstrating against wars – it is beyond belief that French Socialists are following their example.'

There were false claims made last week that synagogues in Paris had been targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

In fact videos showed armed vigilantes from a group called the Jewish Defence League (LDJ) baiting demonstrators into fights.


There were no arrests among the LDJ, despite them fighting and smashing up property in full view of the police.

Six pro-Palestine protestors were arrested for a variety of public order offences, but none had been anywhere near Paris synagogues, which remained undamaged.

A judicial enquiry is set to be launched into the false allegations made about the synagogue attacks – ones which people claim were made up to demonise supporters of Palestine by associating them with anti-Semitism.

On Friday night lawyers for a number of groups hoping to campaign on behalf of Palestine on Saturday lodged an appeal against the ban in a Paris court.

A protester wearing a gas mask holds a fake rocket during protests in Paris over the weekend

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator shouts anti Israeli slogans in Paris on Sunday. The French government is attempting to prevent planned marches this weekend from going ahead


[video]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2697194/Outrage-France-country-world-ban-pro-Palestine-demos.html#v-3675879029001[/video]


SOURCE: France become first country in world to ban pro-Palestine demos | Mail Online

 

[Ashutosh Lokhande]

Only in India, security of state is kept at stake for the sake of Secularism.
In 2012, we have seen how group of ill minded people have created riot like situations in Mumbai's Azad Maidan & in Lucknow.

The property they damage comes from tax payers money.

No one has rights to detroy public property.

State governments should also take strong steps to avoid such situation.
Don't worry, there is a bigger vote bank of good people who deserve a peaceful and developed nation and they will vote for those who prefer development over secularism.

 

[Neo]

Only in India, security of state is kept at stake for the sake of Secularism.
In 2012, we have seen how group of ill minded people have created riot like situations in Mumbai's Azad Maidan & in Lucknow.

The property they damage comes from tax payers money.

No one has rights to detroy public property.

State governments should also take strong steps to avoid such situation.
Don't worry, there is a bigger vote bank of good people who deserve a peaceful and developed nation and they will vote for those who prefer development over secularism.

Try to ban hijab and muslim solidarity demos to have a reality and loyalty check of this vote bank.

 

[Ashutosh Lokhande]

Try to ban hijab and muslim solidarity demos to have a reality and loyalty check of this vote bank.

if it wer in my hands i would try ban every radical and fascist elements out of my country. the most i can do right now is not vote and elect fools.
NO OFFENSE but unlike you am not running away from my country. am preparing for the civil services exams hoping to clear in 1 attempt. i will never leave this country and continue to strive hard to make it free of such negative elements which come between national integrity of my country jay hind jay maharashtra

 

[Neo]

if it wer in my hands i would try ban every radical and fascist elements out of my country. the most i can do right now is not vote and elect fools.
NO OFFENSE but unlike you am not running away from my country. am preparing for the civil services exams hoping to clear in 1 attempt. i will never leave this country and continue to strive hard to make it free of such negative elements which come between national integrity of my country jay hind jay maharashtra

Do you have any idea how much remmitence India recieves each year and how many mouths are fed every day with this money?
Leaving your country doesn't make you.a.traitor, sonetimes you can even do more to help the nation.