French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has banned pro-Palestinian protests that could lead to violence amid fears of rising antisemitism in Europe as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.
France has a Jewish community of almost 500,000, the largest in Europe, the BBC reports, while its Muslim community is also among the largest in Europe with an estimated 5 million people.
Darmanin told a French radio station that since Saturday, when Hamas entered Israel in a surprise attack, prompting a counteroffensive, 100 antisemitic acts had been recorded in the country.
Many of the reported instances involved graffiti showing swastikas and reading “death to Jews,” but some included people being arrested attempting to carry knives into schools and synagogues, according to the BBC.
Darmanin said the government is going to increase the protection of Jewish sites such as schools and synagogues.
He has ordered foreign nationals who violate the protest ban to be “systematically” deported.
So far, 12 French citizens are known to have died in the Hamas attacks. Of the 17 French unaccounted for, four of them are children, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.
Despite the ban, several hundred showed up to rally in support of Palestinians Thursday, causing police to use teargas and water cannons to break up the protest.
Demonstrators chanted “Israel murderer” and “Macron accomplice,” referencing Macron’s condemnation of the Hamas group and support of Israel.
Hamas chief Khaled Mashal has called for protests across the Muslim world Friday to show support for Palestinians, Reuters reported.
Two pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris had already been banned Thursday for fear of outbursts when Darmanin ultimately banned all such activities across the country.