PARIS — Protests broke out in Paris on Wednesday against a controversial gala organized by far-right figures who support Israel. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was among the guests of the event, which aimed to raise funds for the Israeli army.

The demonstrations took place on the eve of a high-stakes football match against the Israeli national team at the French national stadium, overshadowed by tensions over wars in the Middle East. Officials in Paris announced More than 4,000 police officers 1,600 stadium personnel will be assigned for the match.

Smotrich, vocal advocate Israeli settlementswas expected to attend the gala titled “Israel Forever” planned by an association of the same name on Wednesday. The group’s stated goal is “to mobilize French-speaking Zionist forces.”

After days of mounting criticism of the event, Smotrich’s office confirmed on Wednesday that the minister would not travel to Paris to attend.

But the invitation to Smotrich came under harsh criticism from local associations, unions and left-wing political parties and sparked two protests in the French capital. The minister, a hardline settler leader, has been accused of inflaming tensions in the West Bank and drew international condemnation this week when he said he hoped Donald Trump would be elected. It will pave the way for Israel to annex the West Bank A step that will extinguish the dreams of a Palestinian state.

The French Foreign Ministry described Smotrich’s remarks as “contrary to international law” and damaging to efforts to reduce regional tensions.

“France reiterates its commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security, which is the only hope for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the ministry said. in a statement.

Critics also pointed to Nili Kupfer-Naouri, president of the “Israel Forever” association, who sparked outrage by tweeting “No civilian in Gaza is innocent” after the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023.

Hundreds of protesters marched through central Paris on Wednesday night, denouncing the event as “a gala full of hatred and shame”.

“Imagine if an association organized a gala for Hezbollah or Hamas; there is no way the police would allow it,” said protester Melkir Saib, 30. “The situation isn’t fair.”

The march was largely peaceful, but some demonstrators broke the windows of a McDonald’s along the way.

A separate group, including Jewish left organizations opposing racism and antisemitism, gathered near the Arc de Triomphe and chanted slogans against the gala and Smotrich.

While French authorities defended the event, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that the gala “does not pose a major threat to public order.”

The protests came days after tensions flared in Paris and Amsterdam over conflicts in the Middle East. During the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid, a giant “Free Palestine” banner was opened and violence broke out. in amsterdam Last week, fans of an Israeli football club were targeted.