‘Israel the murderer’: Protesters in France set US and Israeli flags ablaze

Protesters in France’s Lyon set the US and Israeli flags on fire during the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations across France.

Video footage shows protesters burning US and Israeli flags during a demonstration in Lyon on Saturday.

One of the protesters lays the two flags on the roof of the Jean-Macé tram shelter in Lyon and stomps on the Israeli flag multiple times.

Later, the protesters set the US and Israeli flags on fire as the crowd cheered and clapped, while people chanted, “Israel the murderer.”

During the recent rallies across France, numerous demonstrators showed their solidarity with the Palestinian people by waving Palestinian flags and wrapping them around themselves.

France deploys 70,000 police officers amid new wave of nationwide protests

French authorities have deployed 70,000 police officers as a new wave of anti-government protests gets underway across the country.

About 320,000 people took part in rallies across France, including 70,000 in Paris, where protesters marched along boulevards on the southeastern outskirts of the city, avoiding the city center, according to the Interior Ministry. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that the marches would stay out of city centers to protect shops.

Saturday’s protests marked the third consecutive weekend of youth-led demonstrations across France against teacher shortages and dilapidated facilities. The movement subsequently expanded to include other groups protesting the cost-of-living crisis, diesel prices, and general dissatisfaction with the government.

French authorities deployed 70,000 police officers across the country as the protests on Saturday coincide with Halloween. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that any misconduct during the protests will result in an “extremely firm response” from the authorities.

He also claimed that Halloween celebrations had prompted posts on social media calling for a “Night of Darkness” from Saturday into Sunday. “The posts very clearly encourage serious breaches of public order,” he said.

Police have responded to protesters with tear gas, stun grenades, water cannons, and other tactics that have caused severe injuries. police also arrested about 300 protesters nationwide, Authorities in France reported.

Student protesters also vowed to stage new high school and university blockades on Tuesday and Thursday.