Police prevented a possible clash near the Israel Embassy here Wednesday night between a small group of Jews protesting Israeli actions against Palestinians in the administered territories and about 40 Jewish counter demonstrators, who shouted “collaborators” and “Arab lovers” at the protesters.
A police cordon kept the two groups apart and prevented both from approaching the embassy building.
The protesters called for “a dialogue with the Palestinians,” not an “iron fist,” a reference to the tough measures Israeli security forces have taken to quell disturbances in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since last month.
On Tuesday, French Jews, including prominent writers, philosophers and sociologists, called for a demonstration at the embassy for the “defense of human rights in Israel-occupied territory.”
They published an advertisement in Le Monde accusing Israel of “failing to respect the Geneva Conventions and international laws” and urged it to start negotiations that would lead to evacuation of the territories and “respect of the right of self-determination of all nations.”
It was the first time that prominent French Jews, many known for their pro-Israel activities, openly criticized the Israeli government and called for a public demonstration to express their opposition to its policies.
The 211 people who signed the and included a former Supreme Court justice, writers, lawyers, a former dean of the Paris medical school and others prominent in the academic, literary and scientific worlds.
Jewish sources here said “it took a lot of persuasion” to convince other prominent Jewish personalities not to identify with the group. A spokesman for the protesters said they will publish a second list of 500 additional people who have responded to their initial appeal.
Several Zionist organizations, meanwhile, announced a mass meeting next week to express their support and approval of the Israeli government’s actions and policies.
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