menacée de dissolution, « Urgence Palestine » dénonce un « acharnement » de Bruno Retailleau
Summary of "Urgence Palestine" Threatened with Dissolution
In Paris, the French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has initiated proceedings to dissolve the organization "Urgence Palestine", citing its support for Palestinian self-determination as the reason. The organization claims this action is part of a broader campaign against groups advocating for Palestinian rights, noting it aligns with a pattern of repression involving the prohibition of demonstrations, severe legal penalties, and the dissolution of supportive organizations.
"Urgence Palestine" argues that the French state is intensifying its attacks on organizations that advocate for Palestinian liberation. They highlight international organizations, including the UN Human Rights Committee, which have criticized French measures perceived as infringing upon civil liberties.
The organization insists that their political positions are legitimate and comply with international law. They contend that the attempt to criminalize their activities and dissolve their entity constitutes a serious violation of freedom of expression and association.
The announcement of "Urgence Palestine’s" potential dissolution, occurring alongside that of "Lyon Populaire," an antifascist group, has sparked widespread outrage. Thomas Portes, a member of the left-wing party La France insoumise (LFI), condemned the Interior Minister for employing "fascist methods" to silence voices advocating for peace and anti-fascism. He criticized the minister’s silence on a recent Nazi group attack in Paris, vowing to support "Urgence Palestine" in this struggle.
The "Réseau insoumis antifasciste" also condemned the dissolution, stating it occurs amid ongoing violence against Palestinians. They assert that such government actions aim only to silence pro-peace voices against the dehumanization of the Palestinian people and against Israeli policies perceived as genocidal.
Raphaël Arnault, spokesperson for the Jeune Garde antifasciste, underscored that targeting "Urgence Palestine" reflects an intent to suppress solidarity with Gaza. Meanwhile, the organization "Attac France" has rallied support for "Urgence Palestine," calling for a collective response against the government’s alarming authoritarian tendencies, which they argue is aligning with extremist views from the far-right Rassemblement National.
The Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste (NPA) denounced efforts to silence support for the Palestinian cause, referencing previous dissolutions of groups like "Palestine Vaincra," which they argue were unjustified pretexts aimed at stifling solidarity voices. The NPA expressed its steadfast opposition to colonialism, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing policies directed against the Palestinian people.
In summary, the controversy surrounding "Urgence Palestine" encapsulates a tense landscape of political repression in France, where government actions against organizations advocating for Palestinian rights are perceived as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and undermine civil liberties. Various political factions and civil society groups are rallying in their defense, signaling a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding solidarity with Palestine in the context of French politics.