A gala in Paris, on November 13, to glorify the genocide, in the presence of Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich

Six organizations denounce the holding of the gala in Paris on November 13 by the Israel Is Forever association,
with the participation of Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich

On November 13, a gala organized by the Israel Is Forever association should take place in Paris, with the far-right Israeli minister, Bezalel Smotrich, as star guest. The organizers aim to “mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces in the service of the power and history of Israel”.

At a time when the State of Israel has been pursuing a total war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and also in the West Bank for more than a year, committing daily massacres which appear to be a strategy of terror against the Palestinian population… At a time when the International Court of Justice declares through several orders that the perpetration of a genocide in Gaza was plausible and where it reminds States that it is their duty to do everything to prevent this genocide…

At a time when the same ICJ recalled that the colonization of the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal and ruled that this occupation is illegal… At a time when the UN General Assembly demands that Israel withdraw from this territory and that States refrain from any activity likely to support colonization…

Holding this gala in the capital of France would constitute an insult to international law and a mark of contempt for the United Nations and for the orders pronounced by the highest international court as well as for the resolution voted by France on September 18.

Let us remember who are the two main actors and actresses of this revolting gala:

Nili Kupfer-Naouri, president of the Israel Is Forever association, organizer of the gala, is a lawyer with French and Israeli nationality who publicly makes comments that amount to an apology for war crimes. Among his many statements are: “There is no innocent civilian population in Gaza” or: “…That there is nothing left of Gaza and that we (can) install a great hityashvut, a great resettlement there. Jewish…” or even “We no longer want barbaric neighbors.

We understand that we must obtain our security and that is through the mass emigration of Arabs from Gaza and through Jewish settlement.” In addition, Nili Kupfer-Naouri published a photo on her social network where she is seen participating in a demonstration at the Rafah border crossing, preventing humanitarian aid trucks from entering Gaza to bring relief to the civilian population, an act which contradicts the ICJ order of January 26, 2024.

Bezalel Smotrich is Israel’s finance minister and minister responsible for the occupied West Bank. Living in a colony and calling himself a “fascist”. Smotrich embodies the figure of the most fanatical religious Zionism. Since entering government on December 29, 2022, the number of settlements and hectares of land confiscated by Israel have increased to proportions not seen since the Oslo Accords.

All his statements reflect his contempt for international law, such as “We encourage colonization with hard work and in a strategic manner throughout the country.” They also reveal all the racism and hatred that animate this character, such as that where he indicated that “it was justified and moral to block humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, even if it could lead to the death of two million Palestinians. » Already present in Paris in March 2023, Smotrich declared: “There is no Palestinian, because there is no Palestinian people… This is the historical truth, it is the biblical truth and this truth , Arabs in Israel need to hear it as do some Jews”

In March 2023, France, through the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, denounced Smotrich’s “irresponsible comments”. Today, how can we understand that he is authorized to call for hatred, to advocate criminal acts on French territory, which he will not fail to do, everyone knows, from the moment he will be authorized to come to France.

For justice, for respect for the memory of the tens of thousands of Palestinians massacred in Gaza and the West Bank, for an end to the monstrous war of annihilation and conquest led by the far-right Israeli government in Palestine and in Lebanon, this gala of hatred and shame must not take place.

>> Read the press release on the AFPS website

Signatories:
– France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS)
– League for Human Rights (LDH)
– Movement against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples (MRAP)
– International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
– General Confederation of Labor (CGT)
– Unitary Trade Union Federation (FSU)