Pro-Palestinian French youth have clashed with police, in a second day of demonstrations, after defying a ban on protests against Israel’s Gaza offensive.
Denouncing Israel’s escalating military offensive, several hundred young people went on a rampage, setting fire to cars, pillaging stores and attacking two synagogues in the Paris suburb of Sarcelles, home to a large Jewish community.
According to reports, the riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.
On Friday, French authorities banned pro-Palestinian groups from holding anti-Israeli rallies for security reasons.
French President Francois Hollande said that he backed the protest ban.
Israel began its latest onslaught against Palestinians in the coastal enclave on July 8.
According to figures provided by emergency services, the total number of people killed since the beginning of the operation stands at 474. More than 3,000 people have also been injured in the attacks.
On July 17, thousands of Israeli soldiers launched a ground invasion into the densely-populated strip.
The fatal Israeli attacks have been condemned by much of the international community as well as international human rights groups.
Agencies/Canadajournal