Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion attended the inauguration of the “Place de Jérusalem” (Jerusalem Square) in Paris together with his Parisian counterpart Anna Hidalgo on 30 June.
Paris mayor, addressed anti-semitism, Judaism and Israel criticism as part of one same phenomenon, stating that “amid this resurgence of racist and anti-Semitic violence, it’s good to recall the ties between Paris and the Jewish community and to celebrate the friendship that unites Paris with the State of Israel”.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Palestinians presented a letter to the French Consul in Jerusalem, Pierre Cochard, rejecting the inauguration of the square. Cochard has reiterated his support for Jerusalem as the capital of both States, Palestine and Israel.
The petition to dedicate a square to Jerusalem was issued by President of the Consistoire Communal Jewish, Joel Mergui commemorating the visit of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to the French Republic last January. The Consistoire is the organisation that represents French Jewry in affairs of religion.
After approval of Hidalgo’s proposal on 12 June, Danielle Simonnet, member of left-party “La France Insoumise” requested that the street sign read “Place de Jérusalem – With the wish that it becomes the future capital of two States”. Such proposal was rejected.
Both the timing of the petition, the initiating organisation and the rejection of amendment proposed by Simonnet sparked anti-occupation protests by the Association France Palestine Solidarity which urged its supporters to attend the demonstration at the inauguration ceremony under the cry of “No to the confiscation of Jerusalem”.
As the Jerusalem Post reported, Lion, the Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, stated that the event is a “connection between the two “capital” cities that have made their mark on the world”. He continued affirming that, “Promoting tolerance, love and peace in our cities is imperative”. He also asserted that “We must do all in our power to bring about quality coexistence and good relations between different religions and sectors”.
Amid Lion’s statements, Jerusalem remains a scenario for great tensions and episodes of violence.
According to Al Jazeera, Israel is attempting to ‘Judaize’ East Jerusalem by ensuring there is a Jewish majority population in the city.
Haaretz reported on 27 June, 19-year-old Palestinian, Mohammed Samir Abid was shot by Israeli forces and killed after allegedly throwing firecrackers at a close range of Israeli officers.
Following Abid’s murder, over 90 Palestinians have been injured with rubber-tipped bullets during clashes with Israeli police in the Palestinian neighborhood of Isawiyah in East Jerusalem.
Palestinians ministers have also been targestd recently in East Jerusalem, with PA news agency WAFA reporting that Israeli forces detained Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Fadi al-Hadmi on June 30.
The Palestinian official was questioned for “activities in Jerusalem” and was released a few hours after the arrest. Middle East Eye reported the capture of the minister is likely to be related to him accompanying Chilean President Sebastián Piñera on a tour to al-Aqsa compound last Tuesday.