Activists turn Paris fountain red to denounce Gaza 'bloodbath'
French activists dyed a Paris fountain red Wednesday to symbolise what they called the "bloodbath" of Palestinians in Gaza.
Activists from Oxfam and Amnesty International poured dye into the Fontaine des Innocents in the heart of the French capital, while others held placards saying "Cease fire" and "Gaza: stop the bloodbath".
"This operation aims to denounce France's slow response to an absolute humanitarian emergency facing the people of Gaza today," the activists, which included the French branch of Greenpeace, said in a joint statement.
"France cannot limit itself to mere verbal condemnations," said former minister Cecile Duflot, executive director of Oxfam France.
Clemence Lagouardat, who helped coordinate Oxfam's humanitarian response in Gaza, denounced the Israeli blockade of the besieged territory.
"The people in Gaza need everything, it's a matter of survival," she told AFP.
The October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data.
Militants also abducted 251 people, of whom 57 are still being held in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the Israeli army.
The Israeli offensive launched in retaliation has killed at least 53,977 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry, which is considered reliable by the UN.
Israel has now stepped up a renewed campaign to destroy Hamas, drawing international condemnation as aid trickles in following a blockade since early March that has sparked severe food and medical shortages.
"There is a genocide going on and political inaction is becoming a kind of complicity in this genocide," said Jean-Francois Julliard, head of Greenpeace France.
"We call on (President) Emmanuel Macron to act with courage, clarity and determination to put an end to this bloodshed."
The activists urged states "with influence over Israel" to press for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, an arms embargo on Israel, the revision of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Israel and other measures.
Macron has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "unacceptable" and "shameful" behaviour in blocking aid to the Palestinians in Gaza.
In response Netanyahu has accused Macron of siding with a "murderous Islamist terrorist organisation".
vid-cl-as/sjw/fg
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
42 minutes ago
- New York Post
Colorado firebomb terror attack suspect was in the US illegally after overstaying his visa, previously applied for asylum: report
The Egyptian national accused of blasting a group of Israeli hostage supporters with a homemade flamethrower and Molotov cocktails during a Colorado solidarity walk Sunday was in the United States illegally after his visa expired in March, according to a report. Terror suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, originally entered the country through the Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 27, 2022, Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources told Fox News. Soliman arrived with a non-immigrant visa and was permitted to stay through Feb. 26, 2023, according to the outlet. Instead, he outstayed his original visa. 5 Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, originally entered the country through the Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 27, 2022. After filing a claim, he was cleared for work authorization by US Citizenship and Immigration Services on March 29, 2023. But that second chance only lasted through this March, meaning Soliman has remained in the US illegally for a little over two months, Fox reported. 'A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,' White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X. Soliman's LAX landing wasn't his first attempt to enter the country. In 2005, the Egyptian was denied a visa to enter the country, law enforcement officials told CNN. It is unclear if he tried again before 2022, when he was ultimately approved. The Department of Homeland Security is working alongside the FBI to investigate the 'terrorist attack,' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed. 5 Soliman arrived with a non-immigrant visa and was permitted to stay through Feb. 26, 2023. 5 Soliman outstayed his original visa. Soliman was arrested and identified as the suspect in the fiery attack against a group of people, largely comprised of the elderly, participating in a walk for the Israeli hostages still being held captive by Hamas. He was allegedly waiting for the group at one of their scheduled stops on their walk. Pictures showed a shirtless Soliman holding two bottles of clear liquid that were allegedly used as a homemade incendiary device. He also allegedly used a 'makeshift flamethrower' to attack the group, officials said. 5 The Department of Homeland Security is working alongside the FBI to investigate the 'terrorist attack.' 5 After filing a claim, he was cleared for work authorization by US Citizenship and Immigration Services on March 29, 2023. But that second chance only lasted through this March, meaning Soliman has remained in the US illegally for a little over two months. Eight victims — four men and four women between the ages of 52 and 88 — were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. At least one person was in critical condition as of Sunday evening. Soliman was also injured during the attack and treated at a nearby hospital. The FBI confirmed it is investigating the firebomb assault as an act of terrorism. 'As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,' FBI Denver Special Agent Mark Michalek said at a press conference.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
ADL leader condemns ‘rage-filled, violent attacks' at peaceful Jewish events
Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned the recent 'rage-filled, violent attacks' at Jewish gatherings and called on public officials to do more before 'the crisis escalates even further.' In a post Sunday on X, Greenblatt connected the Sunday attack in Boulder, Colo.— which targeted a group of peaceful participants in a weekly walk to call for the return of hostages in Gaza — to the killing of a young couple outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last month. In both scenarios, the suspected perpetrators were heard to shout 'free Palestine' during or after the attack. 'This is the second violent attack on the US Jewish community in two weeks,' Greenblatt wrote in a post on X. 'First, a young couple slaughtered in DC. And now, a firebomb thrown at a group in Boulder, Colorado, as they gathered to express solidarity with the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists.' 'Two peaceful Jewish events that ended with rage-filled, violent attacks,' he added. Greenblatt also pointed to recent examples of vandalism and violence against Jewish people in places around the world. 'We're witnessing a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people,' Greenblatt said, adding, 'Sadly, none of this is surprising. In fact, it's entirely predictable. This is precisely where anti-Jewish incitement leads. This is exactly what vicious anti-Zionism enables.' His statement comes hours after six people were injured in the Colorado attack, which the FBI and local law enforcement are investigating as an act of terrorism. A suspect in custody used a 'makeshift flamethrower' and incendiary devices to attack the individuals and 'was heard to yell 'free Palestine,' during the attack,' according to FBI special agent in charge Mark Michalek. The victims, attending a regular weekly event, ranged in age from 67 to 88 and all are hospitalized, with two people having been airlifted to a burn unit. Greenblatt called on 'elected officials, community groups, media platforms, faith leaders' to 'commit to taking action before this crisis escalates even further.' 'Stop excusing antisemitic rhetoric. Stop platforming anti-Zionist hate. Stop equivocating when Jews are attacked. Stand with your Jewish friends and neighbors… …before things get even worse,' Greenblatt added in his statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mohamed Sabry Soliman: What we know about illegal immigrant accused in Colorado terror attack
The suspect accused in a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado, where a pro-Israel group was advocating for Hamas to release the Israeli hostages, was in the United States illegally, Fox News has learned. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested and taken to the hospital with minor injuries after his alleged attack on the "Run for Their Lives" group that was gathering on Pearl Street, police said Sunday night. The group is a grassroots organization that facilitates global run and walk events calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. This particular chapter of the group meets on a weekly basis, police said. Soliman is an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa after entering the U.S. during the Biden administration, three Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources told Fox News. Colorado Terror Attack Took Place At 'Run For Their Lives' Event Calling For Release Of All Hostages In Gaza Soliman first arrived in the U.S. after landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Aug. 27, 2022, with a non-immigrant visa. Read On The Fox News App He was authorized to stay through Feb. 2, 2023, but never left. On Sept. 9, 2022, he filed a claim with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. On March 29, 2023, Soliman was granted work authorization, which was valid through March of this year. "A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien," White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X. "He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed." Soliman was allegedly yelling "Free Palestine" during the attack, which was near the county courthouse on Pearl Street. Police responded to the area after receiving reports of a man with weapon setting people on fire. Fbi Investigating 'Targeted Terror Attack' In Boulder, Colorado, Kash Patel Says The FBI said eight people, ages 52 to 88, were injured and taken to the hospital. One of those victims is considered to be in critical condition. FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said the attack is being investigated as an act of "ideologically motivated violence," based on early information, evidence and witness accounts. Soliman was booked into the Boulder County Jail on Sunday evening. The specific charges he is facing were not immediately available. Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch and Landon Mion contributed to this report. Original article source: Mohamed Sabry Soliman: What we know about illegal immigrant accused in Colorado terror attack
