Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Paris on Saturday, September 26, for a rally called by CAPJPO-EuroPalestine, criticising Israel’s actions towards Palestinians and the French government’s policy towards Israel. The organisation had called the protest specifically to challenge France’s approach following this week’s UN General Assembly.
Footage shows protesters gathering with Palestinian flags and banners around a makeshift tent. Demonstrators are also seen stamping on placards bearing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s picture.
A display featured images of Israeli military operations in Gaza alongside posters reading, ‘The Palestinians will not leave; they are at home and within their rights!’ and ‘No to concentration camps! Lift the blockade of Gaza!’
“Macron put on a show; he shed crocodile tears at the most recent United Nations General Assembly, where he was this week,” Nicolas Shahshahani, vice-president of CAPJPO-EuroPalestine, said.
“Talking about and acknowledging the tragedy of the Palestinian people – in Gaza in particular – without naming those directly responsible, the culprits – that is, the Israeli regime – and, above all, without translating that into action, is meaningless,” he continued.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, speaking about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and defending Palestinian sovereignty. France formally recognised the State of Palestine at the UN in September 2025.
Saturday’s rally followed a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations organised by EuroPalestine in Paris in recent weeks. At a September 5 march, protesters carried signs calling for ‘Freedom for Palestinians’ and urged the French government to impose sanctions on Israel.
Olivia Zemor, president of CAPJPO-EuroPalestine, also criticised France for remaining in the UN General Assembly chamber during Netanyahu’s address while dozens of other delegations left.
“Even though France was one of the countries that did not walk out of the General Assembly when Netanyahu took the floor, 77 countries left the room to show their disagreement, including Spain and Ireland. France remained quietly seated, listening to him,” Zemor said.
Zemor also questioned what Macron’s recognition of Palestine had achieved in practice.
EuroPalestine organised another demonstration between Bastille and Nation on September 12, where campaigners called for the suspension of the European Union’s association agreement with Israel and promoted a boycott of Israeli products.
Source: Viory
