Paris – The French capital, Paris, was the stage for two demonstrations yesterday, each carrying a powerful message in support of the Palestinian people and strongly condemning the extremist ideas and xenophobia embraced by right-wing parties.
From Paris to Gaza Strip, organizations supporting the Palestinian cause expressed their continuous solidarity with the civilians in the Strip who are enduring a harsh war that has entered its 128th day.
On the other hand, participants in the massive demonstration shouted against the escalating far-right ideology that has infiltrated the governing circles in France with its anti-immigrant sentiments, condemning the government’s complicity with the extremist Israeli right-wing.
In a cold and rainy atmosphere, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Republic Square upon the call of various organizations, including the French-Palestinian Solidarity Association and the General Confederation of Labour (CGT).
In an interview with Al Jazeera, the president of the “Boycott Israel” organization, Olivia Zemour, denounced the anticipated Israeli plan for aggression against Rafah, considering it as potentially leading to a massacre that the world would witness if no action is taken.
Inspector of Labor and activist in marginalized neighborhoods against racism, Mounia Al-Abssi joined the popular mobilization, drawing parallels between the suppression of the Palestinian people by Israel and the suppression by imperialist countries including France.
Al-Abssi emphasized in statements to Al Jazeera that “migrants and foreigners are experiencing a form of new colonialism, just as Palestinians suffer under Israeli occupation.”
Palestinian activist Rami Shaath stated that “the link between the fascism and Nazism dealt with towards the Palestinian people, and that present in France in its capitalist form is very clear with the existence of far-right and with Macron’s government in particular.”
Shaath highlighted that “an alliance is forming in France from all those affected by colonial visions and fascism to confront and change these systems.”
As voices advocating for Palestinian rights seek to influence governments to exert greater pressure and compel Israel to an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid, the far-right is gaining more ground in the political arena.
Measures discriminatory against immigrants have been enacted, crushing the rights of foreign residents in France. For example, the National Rally party managed to double its votes in the second round of the French presidential elections in 15 years.
In the lead-up to European elections, a survey conducted recently indicated a rise in popularity for the far-right party led by Bardella, while the presidential camp under Macron fell below 20%.
Organized labor unions in Paris are calling for a comprehensive response against the far-right and the government paving the way for it. They demand an immediate salary increase of 400 euros due to inflation rates, the repeal of immigration laws, and regularization of individuals without documentation.
A member of the Solidarity Financial Union stated, “The possibility of a far-right party coming to power in the short term constitutes a real threat, especially if the National Assembly presents itself again as the leading party in France during the upcoming European elections in June.”
It is crucial to elevate the dialogue and prioritize the fight against the far-right and its ideas as a national imperative to ensure equality in rights and basic freedoms.
The French government has been criticized for halting support to UNRWA and accelerating the genocide, allowing the far-right fascist to secure a place in power within Israel alongside Netanyahu and Gvir, with the possibility of witnessing a similar rise in France if not addressed.
