For several months, demonstrations in support of Palestine have multiplied throughout France. Every Saturday, there are thousands of them in Paris. In the procession, there are the regulars, mobilized for years, those who have demonstrated since the Israeli response after October 7, and those who come for the first time, from seeing the horrors of war on social networks.
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“ Free Palestine » echoes in the procession. A little apart from the crowd, Selma and Hannane have a hesitant approach. They do not brandish Palestinian flags, but approach the truck leading the dance to collect some “Free Palestine” stickers. Hannane, the big sister, sticks one on her pants, at the thigh level. Her 13-year-old little sister looks at her, looking a little surprised.
One is 23 years old and comes regularly: “ If I don’t come, I don’t feel good. It’s important to stand up in the face of what’s happening! » The other comes for the very first time, introduced to the demonstration by her big sister: “ I was told that I could get things in my eyes, I was a little scared at first “. “ I prepared her, gave her some advice and she has some product in case tear gas is released. I also gave him meeting points if we get lost. Either way, we won’t stay long », replies his big sister.
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Selma is not used to it, I have never participated in any demonstration “, but smiles just at the idea of being able to understand the conflict a little more: ” It’s important to ask questions, I think “. Like her, more and more of them are joining the processions for the first time. Particularly since the recent Israeli bombings on a refugee camp in Rafah.
“ I was looking on social networks, and I decided that I had to rise up too, because what’s happening is the fight of my youth, it’s a bit like my May 68 to me », says Élodie, 17 years old. She motivates a classmate, and together, they find themselves at Place de la République. “ I may not know everything about the conflict, but precisely, I also come to exchange with those who know more than me, and anyway, we are not obliged to know everything to be indignant when all these civilians are killed », continues the young woman.
“ Who am I to say “we liberate Palestine”?
The feeling of not being legitimate. This is often what stops some young people from hitting the streets. Recently, on certain TV sets, young people were criticized for not knowing why they were demonstrating. Particularly with the use of the red hands of Ramallah during student gatherings.
For Morgane, a master’s student in English, there was first hesitation: “ I had a typical childhood, I never had to wonder if my house was going to be bombed, so who am I to say “we free Palestine?” » Then there were the massive shares of support for Palestine. Particularly this “All eyes on Rafah” shared nearly 50 million times on Instagram this week. And for Morgane: “ If we come in groups, we dare a lot more, and we get started “. Next to her, her friend Marion, also a master’s student in English: “ Social networks are good, but we feel a little alone in front of our screen. Coming here is different. We are in the middle of everyone, and there, we feel legitimate to speak “. It is impossible to quantify the number of first-time demonstrators, those who come for the first time. But in the procession, in just a few minutes, to the question “ you come often “, many of them responded, sometimes looking a little embarrassed: “ This is the very first time I’ve come “.
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