Despite a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, Paris hosted the largest pro-Palestine solidarity rally in two years on November 29, drawing several tens of thousands of participants. Held on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it united a broad coalition of left-wing organizations. Yet the movement remains limited to militant networks, failing to broaden support among the wider public.
On November 29, designated by the United Nations since 1977 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Paris witnessed an exceptional rally in support of the Palestinian cause. This event occurred amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, over two years after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited open conflict.
Organizers claimed 50,000 attendees in the capital, contrasting with the 8,400 estimated by the Paris Police Prefecture. On-site observations pegged the crowd at several tens of thousands, far exceeding previous Gaza solidarity protests, which had never surpassed 10,000 to 15,000 participants.
Over 80 organizations issued calls to action, encompassing political parties, unions, student groups, humanitarian NGOs, and human rights advocates. This left-wing political unity is unprecedented: all left formations were present, including the Socialist Party, coordinated by the Association France Palestine Solidarité, the oldest in the movement.
While turnout has risen, the pro-Palestine movement is radicalizing and struggles to reach beyond militant circles, restricting its societal reach outside dedicated networks.