The appointment is set: this Saturday, November 4, the French Communist Party of the Alpes-Maritimes hopes to advocate for fair and equitable justice on an issue as delicate as it is complex.
The major operation carried out by Hamas last October has attracted much attention, and undoubtedly also led to much bloodshed. Resulting in hundreds of victims in Israel, including civilians and hostages, Tel Aviv’s response in retaliation was quick to unfold. Amid bombings, the cessation of water, electricity, and gas supply, along with the continuation of the blockade on the Gaza Strip, has raised questions within the international community. Dependent on its neighboring supply, the civilian population in Gaza finds itself under siege, if not in a humanitarian crisis. At this stage, Hamas’ Ministry of Health estimates the number of Palestinian civilian casualties at 8,525 people, including 3,542 children. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, states that “nearly 70% of the people killed in Gaza are children and women.”
“These are war crimes”
Federation PCF of Alpes-Maritimes
Just as Hamas’ actions are widely contested, the counterattack by the Israeli government, orchestrated by Benyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister, is far from achieving consensus. The PCF06 even mentions a war crime that will need to be justified by those responsible before the International Criminal Court: “The Israeli government launched a deadly operation against the Palestinian population in Gaza. Nearly half the homes have been destroyed. Hospitals, schools are targeted. A genuine humanitarian collapse is underway. Some of the population is forced into displacement. Thousands of women, men, and children perish under the bombs. It’s a mass massacre. These are war crimes. The responsible parties will have to answer for them before the International Criminal Court.”
Double standards in Nice?
Deeply involved in the conflict issue, Christian Estrosi seems to show strong support for the State of Israel. Exiting the images of Israeli children (taken hostage by Hamas) displayed on the city’s illuminated billboards, the mayor organized a gathering in front of the city hall on October 9 last year, even projecting the Israeli flag on the Bellanda Tower near Castle Hill. On several occasions, demonstrations aimed at supporting the Palestinian people were banned by the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes. Considering themselves wronged, the organizers filed an appeal, eventually accepted by the Administrative Tribunal on the condition of demonstrating for peace and not in favor of Palestine, stated the organizers and their lawyers.
According to Julien Picot, departmental secretary of the PCF in Alpes-Maritimes, this seemingly unbalanced handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict needlessly revives tensions in the community: “It is already complicated enough for our current society; the people of Azur need unity, they need calm. Taking a stand for one cause at the expense of another is throwing oil on the fire.” Elsewhere, potential repercussions worry the Jewish community in Nice, with some schools and places of worship having seen their security measures reinforced. It is not unusual to see sentinel army soldiers patrolling in front of the city’s religious sites.
A decision expected soon
In a statement published on Friday, October 27, the PCF06 asserts that there is still time to act. “The UN resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, voted by France, is a point of support. France must now follow through on its vote by applying pressure on the Israeli government to implement the resolution.” Taking a stand for justice, the Federation aims to dispel any form of confusion: “We are for peace. We want a coexistence of two states, including a free and independent state for Palestine,” Julien Picot tells us.
Finally, the PCF06 demands, or at least hopes for, an immediate ceasefire with the end of bombings and forced displacement of the population; the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza; the release of hostages; the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to deliver essential goods; the protection of all civilians regardless of their nationality; the lifting of the Gaza blockade in place since 2007; a diplomatic initiative by France for a just and lasting peace based on UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution No. 242 of 1967, requiring the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from occupied territories and the recognition of the State of Palestine by France based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, alongside the Israeli State, so that the two reconciled peoples can live in peace and security.
For now, the Prefect’s decision regarding the authorization of this gathering has not been communicated. Various local organizations, like “ViVA! democracy, ecology, solidarity”, are also calling for treatment equity. Meanwhile, the meeting is set for this Saturday, November 4, at Place Garibaldi at 3:00 PM.
