France bans all pro-Palestinian demonstrations

(Patria) - The French government has banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the BBC reported.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin warned that foreign nationals who violate the rules will be "systematically" deported.

The move comes as European governments fear a rise in antisemitism triggered by the war between Israel and Hamas.

Despite the ban, a large crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested in Paris on Thursday. Police arrested ten and used water cannons to disperse a crowd of 3,000 people at the Place de la République, where protesters chanted "Israeli killer" and "Palestine will win" and waved Palestinian flags.

Darmanin, who ordered the ban, said those who defy it should be arrested "because they are liable to disturb public order." But pro-Palestinian groups said this risks undermining freedom of expression and vowed to continue demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, police in the German capital Berlin also banned planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, citing the risk of antisemitic statements and glorification of violence. Police said about 60 demonstrators on Thursday complied with an order to leave Potsdamer Platz.