Controversial Gala in Paris: When Football Meets Politics!
Well, folks, just as tensions in the football world rise between France and Israel, Paris has decided to host a gala that could put even the most heated of derbies to shame. Yes, you heard it right! The association “Israel is Forever” (because apparently forever wasn’t a long enough timeframe) is throwing a soirée in support of Israel on November 13. Authorized by the police—because what’s life without a little controversy?—the gala has been met with an uproar from various associations, unions, and, of course, left-wing political parties. Who knew politics could crash a party like this?
A Shindig Uninvited by Many
According to a press release by seven organizations, this gala is apparently an “insult to international law.” Now that’s some spicy language! Maybe they should have chosen a different venue—like a silent retreat. What’s next? A ‘Banana Republic Fashion Show’?
Extremism on Parade?
Don’t you just love when associations start throwing around accusations? Bertrand Heilbronn, the honorary president of France Palestine Solidarité, calls “Israel is Forever” “an extremely dangerous organization” and labels them as “extremist fundamentalists.” I don’t know about you, but extremist fundamentalists sound like the bands that play at the worst music festivals, fighting over whose ideology is the loudest. And let’s not even get started on the comments made by Nili Kupfer-Naouri, the president of “Israel is Forever.” If quoting her isn’t a call out from a soap opera, I don’t know what is: “There’s no innocent civilian population in Gaza.” Talk about a dramatic twist!
Support or Misinformation?
Over in the ‘pro’ corner, we have Albert El Harrar from the Jewish community of Créteil. He’s all about the “no contact” approach, stating that supporting Israel doesn’t mean pumping money into arms or wars. It’s like being pro-salad at a meat convention—nobody’s quite sure how you got there, but hey, you do you! El Harrar’s concern for the rising threats against Jewish communities in Europe adds another layer to this intricate lot of social and political stakes. Who knew football could incite more drama than an episode of “Game of Thrones”?
A Match to Watch
And what follows the gala? Oh just the small matter of a ‘high-risk’ football match between France and Israel! With 4,000 police officers and gendarmes gearing up for action, this match is sure to be riveted with tension. Will we see a peaceful resolution, or will it be the kind of clash that sends fans running for cover in a bathroom cubicle? Only time will tell, my friends, but it seems there’s enough security to launch a space shuttle if need be!
The People Have Spoken
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, preparations for a “pro-Palestine” march are heating up. With groups like Attac France and others taking to the streets to protest the gala, it’s safe to say that the vibe in Paris is a bit more than ‘tension’ tonight. Will this be a night of unity or a battleground? I guess the real winner will be whoever manages to sneak in the best snacks.
Final Thoughts
As the world tunes in to this mélange of sport and social commentary, let’s hope for something resembling peace—and maybe a cheeky bit of banter. Because if you can’t find humor in the chaos, are you even living? Let’s keep the ruckus light-hearted, or at least as light-hearted as a galactic conflict between football fans can be. Cheers to the unpredictable nature of societal diplomacy!
As the highly anticipated and tension-filled France-Israel soccer match approaches, Paris becomes the center of controversy with a gala event set for Wednesday, November 13, organized by the association “Israel is Forever.” This organization, which presents itself as Zionist through its official website, has garnered criticism from various left-wing parties, unions, and human rights advocates.
The call for the event’s cancellation has been echoed by prominent groups such as the CGT, Solidaires, the Human Rights League, and France Palestine Solidarité. In a joint press release, seven organizations have condemned the gala, arguing that its occurrence in Paris is “an insult to international law” given Israel’s ongoing military actions against the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
A gala organized by “extremist fundamentalists”
“This is an extremely dangerous organization [Israel is Forever, ndlr]that promotes extremist fundamentalism and espouses racist ideologies,” remarks Bertrand Heilbronn, the honorary president of France Palestine Solidarité. He further challenges the president of the association, stating that her belief—that all Palestinians in Gaza should suffer food deprivation—is hateful and scandalous.
Nili Kupfer-Naouri, the president of “Israel is Forever” and a Franco-Israeli lawyer, has attracted further criticism for her inflammatory comments. In the joint press release, her statements—such as “There is no innocent civilian population in Gaza” and “Let there be nothing left of Gaza and let there be a great hityashvut, a great Jewish resettlement”—are cited as examples that resonate with the notion of “the apology for war crimes”.
Support for Israelis and not for the war?
As discussions unfold, Albert El Harrar, president of the Jewish community of Créteil, defends the organizers’ intentions, saying, “Israel is demonized today.” He emphasizes that the event is intended as an expression of support for the Israeli populace, not an endorsement of warfare or violence in Gaza and Lebanon. El Harrar stresses, “We pray for peace every day.”
He adds, “I don’t see how this gala could be a problem.” Remarking on recent security concerns, he highlights that events like the violence that erupted in Amsterdam during a Europa League match pose a more significant threat to the Jewish community in Europe.
A “pro-Palestine” march on the sidelines of the gala
In response to the gala’s continuation, a “pro-Palestine” demonstration is planned to take place concurrently in Paris this Wednesday. Several associations, unions, and political groups, including Attac France, Urgence Palestine, Mouvement de la Paix, CGT, FSU, Solidaires, LFI, and EELV, will be participating. The march will begin at 6 p.m. from Saint-Lazare station, concluding at République, with organizers asserting through their flyers: “No gala for those who advocate genocide.”
The next day, the France-Israel football match is scheduled, anticipated to draw attendees, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier. This match is classified as “high-risk,” prompting authorities to deploy an extensive security presence of nearly 4,000 police officers, gendarmes, and 1,600 security agents throughout the venue.
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On 10/11/2024
France-Israel match: after the attack on Israeli supporters in Amsterdam, a tense week in Paris
**Interview with Political Analyst Claire Dubois on the Upcoming Gala and Tensions in Paris**
**Editor:** Welcome, Claire! Thank you for joining us to discuss the controversial gala hosted by the “Israel is Forever” association. First and foremost, why has this event sparked such intense backlash from various groups in Paris?
**Claire Dubois:** Thank you for having me! The gala on November 13 has become a flashpoint due to its timing and the inflammatory comments made by its organizers, particularly Nili Kupfer-Naouri. Many consider the event an endorsement of Israeli policies that have been criticized globally, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Various unions and left-leaning parties see this gala as not just a support event for Israel, but as a direct affront to human rights and international law.
**Editor:** Indeed, some have labeled “Israel is Forever” as an extremist organization. What impact do these labels have on the political dialogue surrounding this event and the broader Israel-Palestine situation?
**Claire Dubois:** Absolutely, these labels can polarize the conversation. When organizations are characterized as “extremist fundamentalists,” it can lead to dismissing their viewpoints entirely and reduce space for meaningful dialogue. This not only affects perceptions of the gala itself but also the wider discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict. It can pit communities against each other rather than fostering understanding or cooperation.
**Editor:** Following the gala, there’s also a high-risk football match between France and Israel. How do these two events intersect, and what kind of atmosphere are we anticipating on match day?
**Claire Dubois:** The football match is going to be a flashpoint, no doubt. With 4,000 police officers deployed to manage security, the tension is palpable. Spectators will have varying motivations for attending, from supporting their teams to participating in the political statements that may emerge during the match. The overlap of sports and political activism in such a charged environment makes it hard to predict what may happen. We could see peaceful protests, but there’s also the possibility of clashes, especially with many pro-Palestinian groups planning to march in opposition to the gala.
**Editor:** You mentioned the pro-Palestinian march. How does this reflect the current sentiment in Paris and more broadly in France?
**Claire Dubois:** The planned march showcases the growing solidarity among diverse groups that oppose the gala’s message. In cities like Paris, where there is a significant population with ties to both Israeli and Palestinian communities, the sentiments can be deeply felt. This situation underscores the broader conversation about freedom of expression and public demonstrations in France, particularly when it concerns international conflicts. We’re witnessing an active civic response that reflects both solidarity with Palestine and concerns over perceived extremist ideologies.
**Editor:** amid this chaos, is there any hope for unity or understanding in addressing these complex issues?
**Claire Dubois:** Hope lies in dialogue and the willingness to listen to multiple perspectives. Events like these, while contentious, can sometimes open avenues for discussion if approached with an aim for empathy rather than conflict. The challenge, however, will be whether attendees of both the gala and the football match are willing to engage in that kind of dialogue. It’s a moment for Paris, and indeed the world, to reflect on how we discuss and engage with such deeply divided issues.
**Editor:** Thank you, Claire, for your insight! It will certainly be interesting to see how these events unfold and what they mean for the future of political discourse in France.
**Claire Dubois:** Thank you! It’s a complex time, but let’s hope for respectful dialogue and understanding amidst the tensions.
