FRANCE 24: Calls mount to ban France’s ‘violent’ Jewish Defence League
Pressure is mounting on France to ban a far-right Jewish group, described as violent and extreme by critics, following its involvement in clashes at a pro-Palestinian protest in Paris and the jailing of two of its supporters over a bomb plot.
The Jewish Defence League, an international organisation dedicated to protecting Jews from anti-Semitism by “whatever means necessary”, has a long history of controversy and alleged acts of terrorism and has been outlawed in both the US and Israel.
But the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip – and the passions it has stirred in support of both sides in France in recent weeks – has cast a new spotlight on the French division of the group, known as the Ligue de Défense Juive (LDJ).
.....
On July 13th, members of the group clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters outside a synagogue at a demonstration in Paris, sparking outrage in France and fears of a resurgence in anti-Semitism in France.
But witnesses later accused the LDJ of having provoked the violence.
The former head of France’s France-Palestine Solidarity (AFPS), Bernard Ravenel, told FRANCE 24 earlier this month that the “ LDJ were largely responsible” for the clashes.
“They turned up with the sole intention of provoking the crowd and the authorities interpreted this, sadly, as an anti-Semitic march. This is simply not true.”
On Monday, Abdallah Zekri, head of the National Observatory of Islamophobia, condemned the LDJ’s role in the violence as well as the French government for failing to take action against it.
More here:
http://www.france24.com/en/20140729-calls-mount-ban-france-violent-jewish-defence-league/
Btw: a petition has circulated on the whole French political blogosphere, and I proudly signed it.
Another news I just heard: While in Paris, Pro Palestine protest are more often banned than authorised, I just heard that a pro Bibi gathering will take place, tommorow, right before the Jewish State's embassy in France!!!! ( ot, but the last time I went before an embassy, it was within Occupy France and for support of the Greeks who were struggling with austerity. The result? We were all "escorted" by the cops to the nearest subway entrance....)
= new reply since forum marked as read
