Israelis Describe Terror Amidst Violent Protests in France
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israeli tourists Yifat Shalom and her daughter Zoe described fleeing tear gas and stampedes during violent riots in Montpellier, France. Another Israeli, Raphael Ben Simon, shortened his Paris trip due to the unrest, which he characterized as largely pro-Palestinian. The protests, initially against living costs, led to widespread riots, with French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu reporting 1,200 arrests nationwide. A synagogue in Paris was also vandalized amidst the chaos.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli tourists Yifat Shalom and Zoe fled tear gas and riots in Montpellier, France.
- Raphael Ben Simon, another Israeli, cut his Paris trip short due to the violent demonstrations.
- Protests across France led to widespread riots, vandalism, and looting.
- Approximately 1,200 people were arrested nationwide during the unrest.
- A synagogue in Paris was vandalized amidst the violent demonstrations.
Two Israeli women, Yifat Shalom and her 18-year-old daughter Zoe, described their harrowing experience of being caught in violent protests and riots in Montpellier, France. While visiting a friend and attempting to enter the city center's Place de la Comédie, they encountered thousands of protesters, many masked and carrying Palestinian flags, creating a tense atmosphere. "It didn't feel like a routine student protest," Yifat Shalom told N12. "The police were barely visible, and there was a distinct feeling that no one was in control."
As they tried to escape through an underpass, explosions were heard, and fires broke out in the square. A stampede ensued, with thousands of people running in panic, pushing and nearly trampling them. Yifat was engulfed in thick tear gas, losing sight of her daughter, who later recounted not being able to see her mother from a few meters away. "The burning in my eyes and throat was unbearable," Yifat said, noting that the effects lingered for hours.
Raphael Ben Simon, another Israeli visiting Paris, decided to cut his trip short due to the escalating unrest. He described the protests as "primarily a pro-Palestinian demonstration" and found the situation disturbing, though he did not feel personally threatened. He noted that while some businesses remained open, the metro was closed, and police seemed ineffective, at times forcing bystanders to move with the protests.
The riots, which began as protests against the cost of living and deteriorating public services, escalated into widespread violence, vandalism, and looting across France. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that approximately 1,200 people were arrested nationwide. In Paris, the mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire, stated that "entire streets were destroyed." The violence also affected the Jewish community, with a synagogue in the 19th arrondissement of Paris being vandalized. Sacha Roitman, Director General of the Movement against Anti-Semitism, condemned the act, calling it a "clear warning sign."
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