The day after another Sunday of pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Europe, local political reactions are unfolding. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is once again at the center of controversy.
“Israel murderer, Estrosi murderer” was the chant heard in Place Massena in Nice, this Sunday, October 22. Although the demonstration had been banned by prefectural order and by the administrative court, citizens still decided to gather. Christian Estrosi promptly condemned this gathering publicly and shared his decision to file a complaint “in response to public insults and defamation” against him.
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, the city hall has repeatedly affirmed its support for the Israeli people and government. The flag of the Hebrew state has been proudly flying on the city hall since the deadly attack perpetrated by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by many Western countries. It will remain there “as long as Israel has not won this war,” he declared on October 9 during a rally.
Meanwhile, in Paris, the first non-prohibited Palestinian demonstration took place at Place de la République. Thousands gathered to demand the immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza. While Jean-Luc Mélenchon has been embroiled in controversy since the beginning of the conflict and the future of NUPES is uncertain, a tweet has sparked a new polemic. The founder of La France Insoumise commented on a video of the crowd chanting “We are all Palestinians,” waving flags and signs.
He wrote on the social network X: “Here is France. Meanwhile, Madam Braun-Pivet is camping in Tel Aviv to encourage the massacre. Not in the name of the French people!” Offended by Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s remarks, she even criticized the use of the word “camp,” which she deems inappropriate.
She traveled to the Israeli city this weekend to express her full support for the government. On her X account, she stated: “Israel is legitimate in defending itself, in compliance with international law.” She was not alone on this trip; she was accompanied notably by deputies Éric Ciotti, Meyer Habib, and Mathieu Lefèvre.
The comments from La France Insoumise quickly inflamed the internet and provoked strong reactions from the political class. Gaël Nofri, historian and deputy mayor of Nice, does not see this as France at all but “an addition of non-integrated foreigners and totally disintegrated French.”
Still in the camp of the municipal majority, Magali Altounian, deputy mayor, delegated to Europe and departmental president of Renaissance, sent her support to Yaël Braun-Pivet and regarded Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s remarks as “hateful and contemptuous, reflective of his image.”
On the side of the Republicans, its president Éric Ciotti denounces “shameful remarks” and exclaims: “France does not collaborate with Islamist terrorism, nor does it submit to it!”
