French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin imposed a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Thursday after the former leader of Hamas called on Muslims worldwide to stage protests in support of Palestinians on a “day of rage,” the militant group’s standard call for demonstrations. The order, reported by Agence France-Presse, said such rallies would likely disrupt public order.
The order came as French police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse at least hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters in Paris the same day. It was also issued before French President Emmanuel Macron called on the country’s Muslims and Jews to show restraint in a nationwide address.
“There must be neither suspicion nor division between us as a nation,” Macron said in a televised address, adding that anti-Semitism “has always been a prelude to other forms of hatred.” He called on the country to “condemn terrorism.” and defend the country’s values.
The ban, issued in an order to police prefects across France, comes as Khaled Meshal, the former leader of Hamas, called on Muslims worldwide to stage demonstrations in support of Palestinians on Friday. In a recorded statement reported by Portal this week, he also called on people living in countries bordering Israel to join the fighting against Israel. “[We must] “On Friday, take to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world,” he said.
The statement has raised concerns about safety in countries with large Jewish populations, such as the United States, where police departments across the country plan to increase patrols.
The war between Israel and Gaza has sparked pro-Palestinian protests around the world, which the authorities have tried to suppress.
In Sydney, pro-Palestinian protesters canceled a march after local police warned the rally would be considered unauthorized, the Guardian reported. In Britain, Interior Minister Suella Braverman warned protesters against waving the Palestinian flag to justify terrorist attacks against Israelis. In New York, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with pro-Israel demonstrators, local media reported.