Thousands of demonstrators rallied across France on Saturday, demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. In Paris, amid heavy rain, a large crowd marched behind a banner that read, “Halt the massacre in Gaza and West Bank, immediate ceasefire”.
Sophie Binet, the CGT union secretary general, and other union leaders vocally supported the call for France to advocate for an immediate ceasefire. Additional rallies took place in various French towns, including Marseille, where participants observed a minute’s silence for Palestinian victims, and Toulouse, which saw a turnout of over 1,200 marchers, as per police reports.
UK Protests Call for Ceasefire and Political Action
The movement saw a significant turnout in the United Kingdom, with more than 300,000 people participating in a pro-Palestinian march in London the previous Saturday. The momentum continued with smaller weekly protests, including one outside the office where Labour Party leader Keir Starmer holds meetings.
Demonstrators in London raised Palestinian flags and placards, urging for a ceasefire and criticizing Starmer for not demanding a permanent ceasefire. Instead, Starmer has advocated for a “humanitarian pause” to Israel’s military action. Protesters, including healthcare professionals, emphasized the need for ceasefire negotiations and an end to the occupation. These rallies, part of a nationwide effort coordinated by the Stop The War Coalition, highlighted the widespread call for peace and an immediate halt to the conflict.
