France: Pro-Palestine groups plan rallies nationwide, Aug. 9-10 /update 1

Pro-Palestine groups plan to rally in urban centers nationwide on Aug. 9-10 to denounce the Israel-Hamas conflict. Civil society groups, including Palestine69, will show support for the Palestinian people and demand a ceasefire in the conflict. The largest events are likely to be:

• Bordeaux: Place de la Victoire, 15:30 Aug. 10

• Lyon: Place de la Republique, 15:00 Aug. 10

• Marseille: Place de la Joliette, 18:00 Aug. 9

• Nice: Place Garibaldi, 17:00 Aug. 10

Further protests are planned in Albi, Angers, Clermont-Ferrand, Lannion, Nancy, Niort, Poitiers, and Rouen. Based on recent similar campaigns, several hundred to thousands of people will likely attend each gathering. The demonstration in Marseille may prompt additional support as local authorities banned a previous event in recent days. Other demonstrations are likely in the coming days. Protests denouncing the participation of Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games are possible.

Authorities will likely deploy additional police to monitor all protests and demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Law enforcement personnel will likely continue to be deployed near sensitive sites and potential targets, including government offices, synagogues and mosques, and Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, and Islamic interests. Heightened security will likely prompt business and public transport disruptions.