Facing Dissolution, “Urgence Palestine” Slams Retailleau’s ‘Persecution’
The organization “Urgence Palestine,” which is under threat of dissolution by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has announced the initiation of legal proceedings for this purpose, has condemned what it characterizes as a “persecution” of groups supporting Palestine, asserting that its advocacy for Palestinian self-determination is being specifically targeted.
“The French state has opted to escalate its assault on organizations advocating for the Palestinian people. This action is part of a broader campaign of legal and administrative persecution against the solidarity movement, characterized by prohibitions on protests and gatherings, severe criminal penalties, and now the dissolution of organizations,” stated the group in a press release.
In this context, they highlighted that numerous human rights organizations, along with the United Nations Human Rights Committee, have expressed concerns regarding the deeply repressive nature of the measures being enforced in France.
Emphasizing that the organization’s political stance is “entirely legitimate” and aligns with international conventions safeguarding public freedoms, “Urgence Palestine” asserts that “the state is targeting our support for the self-determination of the Palestinian people.”
“These positions comply with international law. Efforts to criminalize them and even dissolve our organization represent a serious violation of freedom of expression and association,” lamented the organization.
The announcement regarding the dissolution of “Urgence Palestine,” alongside that of “Lyon Populaire,” an antifascist group, has provoked outrage across France.
“At the highest levels of government, an Islamophobic minister is employing fascist tactics to silence advocates for peace and antifascism,” denounced Thomas Portes, a deputy from La France Insoumise (LFI), on social media. He noted that this “same minister has remained silent about the attack perpetrated by a Nazi group in central Paris.”
“We will stand with these organizations in opposition to Retailleau,” he pledged.
The “Réseau insoumis antifasciste” issued a statement rejecting the announcement of “Urgence Palestine’s” dissolution, asserting that this action occurs in a context where “the genocide of Palestinians continues,” and reaffirming its “commitment to mobilizing alongside anti-racist and decolonial forces to counteract seditious movements.”
“This interior minister is descending further into extreme authoritarianism,” condemned this network, adding that “these actions serve only one purpose: to silence voices of peace, those opposing the dehumanization of the Palestinian people and Netanyahu’s genocidal policies.”
They assert that “the Interior Minister is a provocateur who daily fosters division among the French populace, undermines the rule of law, and stokes the flames of racism.”
Raphaël Arnault, spokesperson for the “Jeune Garde Antifasciste”—a movement also facing dissolution—remarked that “by targeting Urgence Palestine, Retailleau seeks to silence all proponents of solidarity for peace in Gaza.”
Expressing support for “Urgence Palestine,” the organization “Attac France” calls for a collective awakening “in response to the fascist inclinations of the executive branch, which, following in the footsteps of the National Rally, aims to dissolve antifascist and anti-racist organizations.”
Meanwhile, the New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA) condemns the attempts to suppress voices advocating for the Palestinian people.
In this context, it is emphasized that groups like “Palestine Vaincra” have already been dissolved for “ambiguous reasons that poorly conceal the reality that these are merely pretexts to silence voices in solidarity with Palestine.” It is noted that this action “occurs within a significant Islamophobic context.” The party “strongly condemns this attempt at dissolution” and reaffirms its commitment to opposing the genocide, colonial policies, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the Zionist entity.
