“A threat to public order” is in the forecast for France, as it becomes the globe’s first nation to ban anti-Israel protests

France’s Socialist government provoked outrage today by becoming the first in the world to ban protests against Israeli action in Palestine; in what is viewed as an outrageous attack on democracy. Socialist Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, says mass demonstrations planned for the weekend should be halted. Minister Cazeneuve stated there was a ‘threat to public order’, while opponents said he was ‘criminalising’ popular support of the Palestinian people. The Minister fears there might be a repeat of the fights between ‘ultra’ Jewish vigilantes and pro-Palestinians which happened after a demonstration last Sunday. Referring to the main Paris march, Mr. Cazeneuve said:

I consider that the conditions are not right to guarantee security.

Minister Cazeneuve welcomed a legal procedure instigated by the Paris police prefecture to ban the march, despite it already being widely advertised. Anyone who turns up to an illegal demonstration now faces up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine. If they hide their faces to avoid being identified, this sentence can be increased to three years, and a 45,000 fine.

Even those who publish details of an illegal rally on social media face up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine. This can be increased to seven years and a 100,000 fine if the postings lead to violence. Mr. Cazeneuve also advised other prefects across France to examine planned marches on a ‘case by case’ basis, and to ban ‘if appropriate’.

-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)