Pro-Palestinian activist given 5-month suspended sentence in France

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pro-Palestinian activist Elias Imzalene, also known by his real name El Yess Zareli, was given a five-month suspended sentence Thursday for calling for an "intifada" at a demonstration in Paris, according to media reports.

The Paris Criminal Vourt also ordered Imzalene to pay unspecified damages to five associations combating antisemitism, Le Figaro reported.

The 40-year-old activist was tried for "public incitement to hatred" following remarks made during a rally on Sept. 8 at Place de la Nation, where he denounced the "Palestinian genocide."

Imzalene defended his comments at trial, stating that "intifada" was a "pacifist expression of indignation" against the situation in Palestine.

The judge, however, referred to the definition in the Larousse dictionary, which described intifada as a popular revolt against an oppressive regime or foreign enemy.

The trial was marked by disruptions from the audience, which was largely composed of Imzalene’s supporters wearing symbolic Palestinian attire.

Despite the disruptions, the prosecutor wanted an eight-month suspended sentence and a €2,000 ($2,074) fine, citing the inflammatory nature of the remarks.

Politicians and activists in France who have protested Israel’s attacks on Gaza have frequently been summoned for questioning and faced charges for alleged "terrorist propaganda."