France’s highest administrative court, the Conseil d’Etat, has rejected an appeal against the instruction from the French interior minister to ban all pro-Palestinian protests. The court ruled that it is for local authorities to evaluate the risks to public order in each case. The instruction, issued on October 12, came amidst tensions and rise in antisemitism in France. The ban on pro-Palestinian protests was challenged by Comite Action Palestine, arguing that it encroaches on freedom of expression and assembly.

In its decision, the Conseil d’Etat acknowledged the approximate wording of the minister’s note but stressed that its intention was to ban protests that support the Palestinian cause and publicly justify or valorise terrorist acts. The court added that while the note alone cannot be the sole basis for banning a protest, protests supporting Hamas can provoke disturbances to public order.

Vincent Brengarth, the lawyer for Comite Action Palestine, argued that it is unjustified to claim that all pro-Palestine protests will generate disturbances to public order when there are protests in other parts of the world with thousands of people. However, the court sided with the argument that given the tense climate and rise in antisemitism, protests supporting Hamas could indeed lead to disturbances.

Just prior to the court ruling, Marseille’s police authorities announced the banning of two pro-Palestine protests in light of risks to public order in the current context.

Read more: [French Court Upholds Government Instruction to Ban All Pro-Palestine Protests](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/french-court-upholds-government-instruction-to-ban-all-pro-palestine-protests/articleshow/104533265.cms)