French Jewish peace advocate warns of crackdown on Gaza supporters

Pro-Palestinian activists face increasing repression in France, says honorary president of French Jewish Union for Peace

Pro-Palestinian activists and union members in France are facing growing pressure amid rising government restrictions, according to the honorary president of the French Jewish Union for Peace (UJFP). In an interview with Anadolu, Richard Wagman expressed concern over the escalating police violence against demonstrators supporting Palestinians in his country. He said the state’s response to the movements, which also oppose French government policies, has become increasingly punitive since the Israeli-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 last year. Wagman pointed to a surge in detentions of union members during protests as evidence of shrinking civil liberties in France. He said the current atmosphere in the country reflects a "climate of fear" and a gradual erosion of fundamental rights. Regardless of the violence and oppression, Wagman said "the struggle for justice" cannot be suppressed. Silence of international community Wagman also criticized the international community’s response to the Gaza conflict, accusing it of complicity through its silence. He highlighted that any action targeting civilians is a war crime. He also suggested that media outlets are obscuring the severity of the situation with biased reporting. In recent weeks, several politicians, activists and comedians in France have been charged with spreading “terror propaganda” following pro-Palestinian statements and protests against Israeli actions in Gaza. Israel's year-long onslaught Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire. Nearly 41,900 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 97,100 others injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.