Paris police turn water cannons and tear gas on pro-Palestine demonstrators as French minister says there is ‘no place’ for such demonstrations following Hamas terror atrocities

Water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse a banned pro-Palestinian rally in Paris tonight as French police moved to arrest its organizers.

It followed the country’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin saying there was ‘no place’ for such protests against the Gaza War after Saturday’s terror atrocities.

Crowds gathered around the Place de la République in the French capital on Thursday, chanting “Free Palestine”, “End the siege of Gaza”, “killer of Israel” and “Macron collaborator” – in reference to the French President’s support for Israel.

Hundreds gathered waving Palestinian flags and other symbols showing their support for one side in the Arab-Israeli conflict, which erupted when Hamas terrorists launched a violent attack on Israeli civilians on Saturday.

Shortly after 8:00 p.m., a cannon of water washed away many of those in the crowd of about 2,000, sending them running for cover. Tear gas was then fired as CRS patrols moved in to clear the area.

Protesters hold Palestinian flags during an unauthorized demonstration in support of the Palestinians

French gendarmerie police officers beat a protester during a banned demonstration in support of the Palestinians in the Place de la Republique in Paris

“Our orders are to prevent the protest from continuing,” said a police chief at the scene. “People are asked to leave the area.

French police have routinely stopped any pro-Palestinian demonstrations since the 2014 Israel-Gaza War.

They have always cited ‘threats to public order’ as the reason, but opponents have accused them of ignoring the principles of freedom and free speech.

Two groups – the France Palestine Solidarite Association, the other from the Collectif National Paix Juste Durable Palestine – organized Thursday night’s protest.

The ban was again enforced ‘taking into account the risk of disruption of public order’, a spokesman for the Paris police prefecture said.

Protester Charlotte Vautier, 29, a worker at a non-profit organization, said: “We live in a country of civil law, a country where we have the right to take a stand and demonstrate.

“(It’s unfair) to ban for one side and authorize for the other and it doesn’t reflect the reality of Palestine.”

A protest in France’s second city, Lyon, planned for Wednesday evening has also been banned by local police.

It came after French President Emmanuel Macron pledged ‘unwavering support’ for Israel following the attacks.

In a live televised address on Thursday evening, he called for national unity and efforts to prevent any spread of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to France, where there has been an increase in anti-Semitic acts.

Hundreds gathered waving Palestinian flags and other symbols showing their support for one side of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

France has the largest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe and there are sometimes tensions between them.

Anti-Semitic acts have increased in France since Hamas attacked Israeli cities on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people, Interior Minister G. Darmanin said.

Israel has responded by launching the most powerful bombing campaign in Hamas-ruled Gaza in the 75-year history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The bombings have killed more than 1,417 according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and destroyed entire neighborhoods.

Darmanin said France had seen an increase in hate online, but also more direct threats.

“Since Saturday and the terrorist massacres in Israel, there have been over a hundred anti-Semitic acts, mainly labels and swastikas,” said Mr. Darmanin.

Eleven French nationals have been confirmed dead in Israel and more than a dozen are missing.