Protest in Paris

Thousands of French filled the streets, carrying placards and banners, singing songs and shouting slogans. This is Paris, May 2008, 40 years after the social revolution known as “May 68” shook France. The uprisings in the 1960s saw a series of student protests and general strikes that caused the eventual collapse of the French government.

One could have easily mistaken the protest to be one of those marking the strike in Paris, by thousands of teachers and public sector workers, to protest against job cuts and education reform. But if one listened closely and read the banners, it was clear that this protest was in support of the Palestinian people.

May 2008 also marks 60 years since the Nakba — the Catastrophe — when thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes by the Zionists, who then went on to form the state of Israel. And while Israel celebrates its 60th birthday, many around the world, like the thousands of French protesting in the streets of Paris, are asking, ‘What is there to celebrate about?’ How can anyone celebrate when the Israeli occupation and attacks against civilians in Gaza and the West Bank continue unabated?

The protesters marched in the streets carrying Palestinian flags and posters condemning the Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, calling for an end to the siege on Gaza, the right of return for Palestinians, and an end to Israeli occupation. This is part of a campaign by Palestinians and social activists in France, demanding that the French government pressure Israel to stop its abuses of the Palestinian people and to assist the Palestinians in achieving independence.

Sabrina, a student of law in Paris, says that the government is seen as being too supportive of the Zionist state of Israel. Nadia, who studies political science, went on to explain that it comes down to business — the French state wants good relations with Israel and continues to encourage business and trade. And the French public is not being shown an accurate and balanced view of the situation, they argue. ‘If you only watch the mainstream TV, you will think that it is the Palestinians that don’t want peace and that all Israelis are good!’

Naseem, a Palestinian computer science student from the town of Baqa al-Qarbia, was happy to see so many French out on the streets, supporting the cause. He happened to be passing through Paris when he heard of the protest, co-organised by other Palestinian students studying in France. ‘I thought that the world has forgotten us in Palestine!’

Another Palestinian, who had been living in France for the past 10 years, said they will not forget. ‘We want to return to the land of our grandparents, and show people that Jews, Christians and Muslims have lived together on this land for hundreds of years.’

For now, they hope and protest, and the song that has become popular with Palestinians and their supporters, rings through the streets of Paris: