Pro-Palestine protesters call on French Football Federation to cancel France-Israel match

By Seyma Yigit

ANKARA (AA) – A pro-Palestine group has protested at the French Football Federation (FFF) building in Paris, opposing a Nations League match between France and Israel on Nov. 14 at Stade de France.

Around 20 activists gathered at the FFF headquarters, displaying banners that read "Criminal Israel, Accomplice FFF," "No to France-Israel Match at Stade de France," and "Stop Genocide, Silence Kills."

Wearing red gloves, the protesters condemned Israel's military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

They also hung a Palestinian flag inside the building. Social media footage circulating since Monday showed police are securing the area.

French left-wing MP Louis Boyard recently called for sanctions on Israel, urging the cancellation of the match, similar to sanctions on Russia and Belarus after the Ukraine war.

The Israeli army laid a siege in northern Gaza last month, claiming it is trying to stop Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.

More than 1,800 people have been killed since then, according to Palestinian health authorities. Food and other aid are severely limited.

Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, killing nearly 43,400 people and rendering the enclave almost uninhabitable.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the blockaded enclave.