**Protests Erupt in Paris Against Far-Right Gala Supporting Israel**

Demonstrations unfolded in Paris as citizens protested against a far-right gala organized in support of the Israeli military. The event, named "Israel is Forever," was designed to generate funds for the Israeli military and was orchestrated by an association with the same name. The association's mission is to mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces.

Hundreds of dissenters took to the streets of central Paris on Wednesday night, voicing their outrage against what they termed the "gala of hatred and shame." Among the protesters was 30-year-old Melkir Saib, who remarked, "Imagine if an association were hosting a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas - there's no way the police would allow that. The situation is just unfair."

The protests coincided with a major football event—the impending match between France and Israel at the Stade de France, set to take place on Thursday. In response, Parisian authorities announced the deployment of over 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff to ensure security during the high-profile match.

The gala originally included an invitation to Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. However, the minister opted not to attend in light of the growing controversy. Smotrich's potential presence had incited outrage among local associations, unions, and left-wing political parties, leading to two separate protests in the city. He was under fire for his recent comments expressing hope that Donald Trump's re-election would facilitate the annexation of the occupied West Bank by Israel, a move seen as a severe blow to Palestinian ambitions for statehood.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Smotrich's statements as "contrary to international law" and counterproductive to regional peace efforts. Critics also targeted Nili Kupfer-Naouri, the president of the "Israel is Forever" association, who had previously caused uproar during Israel's war in Gaza with her social media post claiming, "no civilian in Gaza was innocent."

Another protest group, which comprised Jewish left-wing organizations opposing racism and anti-Semitism, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe. They chanted slogans critical of the gala and Smotrich.

In defending the gala, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez declared that the event presented "no major threat to public order."

These protests come on the heels of recent tensions, including Paris Saint-Germain fans displaying a "Free Palestine" banner during a Champions League match and clashes in Amsterdam before and after a game between Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Netherlands' Ajax team.