The French Awakening: An Unyielding Stand Against Israeli Aggression
Despite the relentless media censorship, the French populace remains acutely aware of the ongoing massacre, displacement, and genocide perpetrated against the defenseless Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Over the past few months, most Parisian squares have been the epicenters of fervent weekly protests, with "Place de la République" in particular becoming echoed with the cries of justice for Gaza, exposing Israel as a bloodthirsty aggressor who has shed innocent blood for over ten months.
Yet, French politicians manipulate the Palestinian issue to serve their divergent agendas. This was particularly evident during the recent French elections. The New Popular Front, a broad left-wing coalition comprising the Greens, Socialists, Communists, and La France Insoumise, pledged to recognize the Palestinian state on their platform.
In contrast, Jordan Bardella, the young leader of the far-right Rassemblement National (RN), egregiously accused the French government of financing the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. At the forefront of these accusations is La France Insoumis, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the former presidential candidate. His unapologetic stance has ruffled feathers across the political spectrum. Mélenchon has condemned the Council of Representatives of Jewish Institutions (CRIF) for sectarianism and undue interference in French political affairs. He ardently supports the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and has called for an economic and military boycott of Israel, a position that starkly opposes France's long-standing policies.
Moreover, Mélenchon’s refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, aligning instead with the United Nations' stance, has infuriated the right. Mélenchon's party has described the October 7 events as a "war crime" rather than terrorism and vehemently condemned the ethnic cleansing in Gaza, demanding immediate recognition of the Palestinian state by the European Union. These bold positions significantly influenced the dynamics of the French elections.
Even post-elections, French solidarity with Gaza persists, transcending mere partisan politics. Recent demonstrations have seen active participation from senators and parliamentarians, urging the French government to prevent Israel's participation in the Olympic Games. French Senator Jean-Louis Adam articulated this sentiment, stating, "If we consider preventing Russia from participating in the Olympics, we cannot be two-faced. We must prevent the participation of any regime that does not respect international law, and therefore the presence of Israel, which has violated international law, must be prevented."
Meanwhile, Palestinians, maimed and robbed of their childhoods by Israeli aggression, cannot partake in any international competition. Protestors confront French officials with piercing questions, epitomized by placards asking, "Tell us one difference between the children of Ukraine and the children of Palestine."
In this regard, Béranger Cernon, a member of the French Parliament, passionately declared, "We must fight for justice. We cannot tolerate what is happening in Palestine. These crimes must be stopped. The French government should take a stand against the war in Palestine like in other countries." Additionally, Thomas Portes, a lawmaker from La France Insoumise, released a video condemning the Israeli regime's participation in the Olympic Games and calling for protests against their presence. Despite this widespread indignation and the public's vocal opposition, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, in a meeting with his EU counterparts in Brussels, extended an invitation to the Israeli delegation to participate in the Olympic Games. Séjourné assured his Israeli counterpart of the security of the Israeli sports teams, underscoring France's biased stance.
In conclusion, the French populace, with their impassioned slogans and demonstrations, is sending a resounding message to the world: the awakened and conscientious souls of France will not remain silent in the face of Israeli crimes and genocide. They demand, along with much of the international community, that Israeli athletes be barred from the Olympic Games. The French nation’s stand in unyielding solidarity with Palestine, advocating for justice and human rights, and vehemently opposing their government's complicity in Israeli atrocities.
