• Paris protests over Israeli far-right gala aimed at raising funds for Israel
• Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was set to attend gala but pulled out last minute
• Gala comes ahead of France-Israel football match and fears of violence

Paris protests over Israeli far-right gala aimed at raising funds for Israel

Thousands of protesters marched through Paris on Wednesday night, denouncing a secretive gala organised by Israel’s far-right. The event aimed to raise funds for Israel and initially featured controversial Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as a guest, though he cancelled his visit at the last minute. Known for his hardline stances, Smotrich has previously advocated for West Bank annexation and made inflammatory comments about Arabs.  

The gala’s timing, came just before a Thursday football match between France and Israel, heightening tensions. Pro-Palestinian groups and France’s hard-left France Unbowed Party (LFI) organised the demonstration, criticising French authorities for allowing the event to proceed despite calls for its cancellation. Authorities argued the gala posed “no major threat to public order,” frustrating protesters and left-wing politicians like LFI MP Thomas Portes, who demanded it be scrapped.  

While the protest was largely peaceful, some vandalism occurred, with businesses like McDonald’s and Carrefour targeted. Another pro-Palestinian protest is planned ahead of the football match, where additional tensions are expected.  

Likud’s Betar youth group, associated with Israel’s far-right, announced plans to mobilise near the stadium, raising concerns about potential clashes. French authorities are deploying 4,000 police officers for the match—a highly unusual number for such an event, equating to one officer for every five attendees.