Israelis Caught in Violent Protests and Riots Across France
Israeli tourists in France were caught in violent protests in Montpellier and Paris, describing terrifying scenes of tear gas and fires as nationwide riots led to 1,200 arrests.
Israeli citizens visiting France found themselves caught in massive demonstrations that erupted into violent riots across Montpellier and Paris. Yifat Shalom, who traveled from Israel to visit her 18-year-old daughter Zohar in central Montpellier, described fleeing through clouds of tear gas and burning barricades.
Chaos in Montpellier and Paris
Shalom and her daughter were heading to Place de la Comédie for dinner when they encountered thousands of protesters waving Palestinian flags, wearing kaffiyehs, and setting fires. Explosions rocked the square, triggering panic and a stampede as crowds rushed underground to escape. The pair suffered from tear gas inhalation and had to walk home on foot after public transport was shut down.
Meanwhile, Raphael Ben Simon, visiting Paris, decided to cut his trip short following the violent clashes. He reported being trapped in a metro station for hours as police struggled to manage the volatile crowds chanting slogans during the demonstrations.
This felt like a nightmare, reminiscent of the security situations we left behind in Israel, Shalom said, describing the terrifying moments.
Mass Arrests Across France
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the number of arrests reached 1,200 nationwide as protests against the cost of living and deteriorating public services turned violent. The French Interior Ministry estimated that roughly 550,000 people participated in the nationwide demonstrations, while the CGT union put the figure at 800,000. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons in Paris to disperse rioters who smashed storefronts, looted shops, and set vehicles ablaze.
