Israelis Describe Fleeing Violence During French Protests
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli tourists Yifat Shalom and her daughter Zoe described being caught in violent protests in Montpellier, France, fleeing tear gas and fires. Another Israeli, Raphael Ben Simon, shortened his Paris trip due to the unrest, which he described as primarily pro-Palestinian. The protests led to widespread destruction, looting, and the vandalism of a synagogue. Across France, around 1,200 people were arrested amidst massive demonstrations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli tourists Yifat Shalom and Zoe were forced to flee tear gas and fires during violent protests in Montpellier.
- Raphael Ben Simon, an Israeli in Paris, cut his trip short due to the unrest, calling it mainly pro-Palestinian.
- A synagogue in Paris was vandalized amidst the widespread protests and riots across France.
- Approximately 1,200 people were arrested nationwide during the large-scale demonstrations.
- Protesters clashed with police, leading to destruction, looting, and the use of tear gas and water cannons.
Two Israelis visiting France described being caught in violent protests that erupted in Montpellier and Paris. Yifat Shalom and her 18-year-old daughter Zoe, who lives in Montpellier, were near the Place de la Comédie when protests escalated, forcing them to flee tear gas and fires. Shalom described seeing thousands of Palestinian flags, masked individuals, and a tense atmosphere, noting a lack of police presence and a feeling of chaos. The pair narrowly escaped a stampede and were engulfed in tear gas, suffering burning eyes and nausea.
Shalom, who had come from Israel to visit her daughter, expressed distress over the fragility and danger of the situation in France, especially with Zoe living there alone. Their return to their apartment was complicated by the disruption of public transport, forcing them to walk through less affected areas. The protests in Montpellier resulted in widespread destruction, vandalism, looting of stores, and fires.
Another Israeli, Raphael Ben Simon, visiting Paris, shortened his trip due to the unrest. He characterized the protests as primarily pro-Palestinian, stating that while he didn't feel personally endangered, the atmosphere was disturbing and alienating. He observed that despite attempts to maintain normalcy, public transport was shut down, and police tactics were ineffective, trapping people in the metro.
The violence also affected the Jewish community, with a synagogue in Paris's 19th arrondissement being vandalized. Sacha Roitman, CEO of the Movement to Combat Anti-Semitism, condemned the act, calling it a clear warning sign. Nationwide, approximately 1,200 people were arrested during the protests, which involved an estimated 550,000 to 800,000 participants. French authorities used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, while protesters threw projectiles, set vehicles ablaze, and looted shops. The Mayor of Paris described the destruction as widespread, with entire streets ruined.
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