No to the criminalization of solidarity with the Palestinian people!
In recent weeks, we have noted, with great concern, an acceleration of repression against activists of unions, associations and political parties who support the Palestinian people:
– The one-year suspended prison sentence for Jean-Paul DelescautCGT secretary of the Departmental Union of the North for “apology of terrorism” on the basis of a sentence in a CGT leaflet in support of the Palestinian people, like the numerous summonses and prosecutions against several activists because of their support for the Palestinian people.
– Bans on the conference of Franco-Palestinian jurist Rima Hassancandidate for the European elections on the LFI list and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, at the University of Lille on the news of Palestine “because of tension” then in a private room “at the risk of disturbances to public order » ;
– The threat of banning the demonstration in Paris on Sunday April 21, 2024 “against racism, Islamophobia and for the protection of all children”notably “that by focusing attention on the children of Gaza, this march is likely to carry anti-Semitic slogans within it”.
These attacks on our public freedoms echo the summons “for apology for terrorism” from the NPA and Permanent Revolution in recent months and now, that of Rima Hassan.
These attacks are part of a more global context of repression and criminalization of social movements.
The National Collective for a Just and Lasting Peace between Palestinians and Israelis denounces these liberticidal and authoritarian decisions. Solidarity with Palestine must be able to be expressed freely in France.
It is intolerable that a conflation is made between solidarity with Palestine and support for terrorism or anti-Semitism, to discredit anti-racist unions, associations and political parties. Our Collective has, from the outset, condemned all of the war crimes that have been committed, and affirmed that every life counts. Remember that, as of January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice spoke of a “plausible risk of genocide”.
Faced with this ongoing genocide in Gaza, our determination remains intact.
The National Collective for a Just and Lasting Peace between Palestinians and Israelis will continue in the coming weeks to undertake all types of democratic actions, in support of the Palestinian people and in defense of our public freedoms.
Paris, April 20, 2024
