France bans pro-Palestinian protests for fear of public unrest

France is taking steps to ban pro-Palestinian protests, arguing that they are likely to lead to public disturbances. 

As Reuters reported, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin gave this announcement on October 12, after the government already prohibited two pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris in anticipation of potential violence as Hamas had earlier called the Muslim world to gather for protests in support of Palestinians on Friday, the holy day in Islam.  

France is home to some of the largest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe, and conflicts in the Middle East can lead to heightened tensions in the country. The French authorities have increased police protection at Jewish sites, including schools and synagogues to prevent such incidents.

Since the recent cross-border attack by Hamas on Israel from Gaza, French police have arrested more than 20 individuals in connection with various antisemitic incidents, including harassment of Jewish children by their peers at school.