French Jews turn out en masse to show support for Israel

2,000 attend rally in Paris linking terrorism against Jews in both countries

Supporters wave Israeli flags during a Tuesday gathering near the Israeli embassy in Paris. (Francois Mori/AP)
Supporters wave Israeli flags during a Tuesday gathering near the Israeli embassy in Paris. (Francois Mori/AP)

PARIS (AP) — Some 2,000 French Jews have demonstrated in Paris to support of Israel’s offensive against Gaza.

Addressing the crowd, the president of the Israelite Consistory of France, Joel Mergui, likened “terrorism that wants to kill in Israel” to “the same that attacks Jewish children in France.”

Hundreds of riot police surrounded a group from the militant Jewish Defense League and ordered them to lower flags that bore a star of David and a clenched fist.

A main axis was blocked off for Tuesday’s demonstration just off the famed Champs-Elysees, and riot police vans lined neighboring streets.

Past Middle East tensions have impacted France, which has western Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations, and boosted anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic incidents.

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