Thousands of people took to the streets in several cities across France yesterday to protest Israel’s deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip, reports the Malay Mail.
“Israel murderer, Hollande partner in crime,” shouted demonstrators at a rally in Paris, while others gathered in several cities throughout the country, including Marseille, Lyon and Lille, to voice their support for the Palestinians.
Police said around 11,500 protesters attended the Paris demonstration, while organisers put the figure closer to 20,000. In Marseille, more than 2,000 came out to protest, with a similar number braving the rain in Lyon.
As has been the case on previous Gaza demonstrations, protesters’ ire was directed at the French government for its support for Israel.
“We are here to declare our total support for the Palestinian resistance and denounce this shameful government (of French President Francois Hollande) for backing the Israeli line,” Omar Alsoumi of the Palestinian Youth Movement told the crowds in Paris.
Read more of this report from the Malay Mail.