03:52Thousands marched in Paris on Sunday in support of Israel on the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Footage shows demonstrators carrying Israeli flags and placards saying ‘Macron, sell-out, traitor’ and ‘There was a ceasefire before the October 4th’. Public figures can be seen addressing the crowd including a spokesperson for the Association of victims' parents.
"The earth opened up beneath our feet that morning. 1180 Israelis lost their lives that day. 313 soldiers, 66 policemen and security guards, and 810 civilians, including dozens of foreigners," he said.
Protesters said that dozens of people are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza a year on from the attack.
"There are still young people and babies being held captive in Gaza's jails, for us, it's unbearable, we need support, that's why we're coming to this kind of gathering because we need to be able to free ourselves and show our truth, which seems so logical to us," said one protester.
"We really do feel a great sense of injustice," he added.
Rallygoers also noted that Israel is fighting terrorism.
"Israel must defend itself and I believe that Israel is doing the whole world a favour by getting rid of the terrorists, even if our president doesn't agree," said one.
The pro-Israel demonstration comes after a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for an end to arms deliveries to Israel. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Israel, but Macron has since reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence and said he would meet relatives of Franco-Israelis held hostage in Gaza on Monday.
Monday marks the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel. Israel reported that 1,139 people were killed, mostly civilians and that Hamas fighters had seized at least 251 hostages before returning to Gaza.
In response, Israel initiated an air campaign and a ground offensive into Gaza, where Palestinian authorities claim over 40,000 people have since been killed, although the death toll is thought to be higher.
Hostilities have since escalated, leading to cross-border strikes between Israel and Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, where Israel last week launched 'limited' ground operations in its conflict with Hezbollah, following a campaign of airstrikes that killed hundreds.
‘Earth opened up beneath our feet that morning’ - Thousands march in support of Israel in Paris on eve of anniversary of Hamas attack
Thousands marched in Paris on Sunday in support of Israel on the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Footage shows demonstrators carrying Israeli flags and placards saying ‘Macron, sell-out, traitor’ and ‘There was a ceasefire before the October 4th’. Public figures can be seen addressing the crowd including a spokesperson for the Association of victims' parents.
"The earth opened up beneath our feet that morning. 1180 Israelis lost their lives that day. 313 soldiers, 66 policemen and security guards, and 810 civilians, including dozens of foreigners," he said.
Protesters said that dozens of people are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza a year on from the attack.
"There are still young people and babies being held captive in Gaza's jails, for us, it's unbearable, we need support, that's why we're coming to this kind of gathering because we need to be able to free ourselves and show our truth, which seems so logical to us," said one protester.
"We really do feel a great sense of injustice," he added.
Rallygoers also noted that Israel is fighting terrorism.
"Israel must defend itself and I believe that Israel is doing the whole world a favour by getting rid of the terrorists, even if our president doesn't agree," said one.
The pro-Israel demonstration comes after a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for an end to arms deliveries to Israel. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Israel, but Macron has since reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence and said he would meet relatives of Franco-Israelis held hostage in Gaza on Monday.
Monday marks the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel. Israel reported that 1,139 people were killed, mostly civilians and that Hamas fighters had seized at least 251 hostages before returning to Gaza.
In response, Israel initiated an air campaign and a ground offensive into Gaza, where Palestinian authorities claim over 40,000 people have since been killed, although the death toll is thought to be higher.
Hostilities have since escalated, leading to cross-border strikes between Israel and Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, where Israel last week launched 'limited' ground operations in its conflict with Hezbollah, following a campaign of airstrikes that killed hundreds.
Thousands marched in Paris on Sunday in support of Israel on the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Footage shows demonstrators carrying Israeli flags and placards saying ‘Macron, sell-out, traitor’ and ‘There was a ceasefire before the October 4th’. Public figures can be seen addressing the crowd including a spokesperson for the Association of victims' parents.
"The earth opened up beneath our feet that morning. 1180 Israelis lost their lives that day. 313 soldiers, 66 policemen and security guards, and 810 civilians, including dozens of foreigners," he said.
Protesters said that dozens of people are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza a year on from the attack.
"There are still young people and babies being held captive in Gaza's jails, for us, it's unbearable, we need support, that's why we're coming to this kind of gathering because we need to be able to free ourselves and show our truth, which seems so logical to us," said one protester.
"We really do feel a great sense of injustice," he added.
Rallygoers also noted that Israel is fighting terrorism.
"Israel must defend itself and I believe that Israel is doing the whole world a favour by getting rid of the terrorists, even if our president doesn't agree," said one.
The pro-Israel demonstration comes after a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for an end to arms deliveries to Israel. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Israel, but Macron has since reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence and said he would meet relatives of Franco-Israelis held hostage in Gaza on Monday.
Monday marks the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel. Israel reported that 1,139 people were killed, mostly civilians and that Hamas fighters had seized at least 251 hostages before returning to Gaza.
In response, Israel initiated an air campaign and a ground offensive into Gaza, where Palestinian authorities claim over 40,000 people have since been killed, although the death toll is thought to be higher.
Hostilities have since escalated, leading to cross-border strikes between Israel and Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, where Israel last week launched 'limited' ground operations in its conflict with Hezbollah, following a campaign of airstrikes that killed hundreds.