Sunday, January 04, 2009

Violent anti-Israel demonstration in Paris


Sorry I'm late posting, but I'm just back from Le Boulevard Haussmann, where I took amazing photos, after an anti Israel demonstration. From what the Agence France Presse reports, between 20 000 and 25 000 people protested the Israeli incursion in Gaza, but towards the end, a group of demonstrators started acting violently; they flipped about 13 cars upside down, burnt 3 others and crashed a few shop windows. Here are some additional photos: first a little Animoto, second, the actual photos.

38 comments:

  1. That's amazing!! As if we need such violent acts to be heard... It's terrifying me. I'm also terrified by what's happening in Israel, but this kind of demonstrations is making things even worse.

    I was working today, I heard a lot of noise in the street, I just couldn't imagine that it was so violent out there, at Republique.

    Your photo is stunning, but for other reasons as normally, Eric.

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  2. Today's picture of Le Monde here.

    Man, to be GF on this topic is not the best thing ever.
    I take it, anyway.

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  3. What a shame that no one seemed to voice opposition to the rocket attacks that Hamas launched against Israel? And the civilian casualties? When Hamas places their headquarters deliberately in schools and such places, they produce those results themselves. This violence IS terrifying. I'm sorry you're having these things occur in the streets of Paris. I hope you will be safe.

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  4. Anti-Israel, or anti-Israeli military action? We must be careful how we word it!

    In any case, having seen violence in my city (St. Paul, MN for the Republican National Convention protests), I will say that it is too bad that people take to destruction and violence to make a point!

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  5. MK, sauf votre respect, I think that the fact to say that "they produce(d) those results themselves" is false, and dangerous too. 2 civils died in Israel, more than 200 died in Gaza. Yes, a life is a life, but the difference of civil loss shows how the Israeli response is disproportionate.
    Once again, it's David against Goliath.

    Eric, where are you taking us?! Sensitive topic...

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  6. Thanks for being our eyes out there, Eric. You take care.

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  7. Guille - tracking all the rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas, just in 2008, shows that there have been quite a few more Israeli lives lost than just 2. And it's no secret (or surprise) that Muslims seem to relish putting their own children at risk, and using them as shields. It's an abomination, IMO, to do so. I am very sorry for the people who live in Gaza, in this middle of this fight. And Mike, I do think that it's clear that Hamas wants the annihilation of the Jewish state, period. Once again, just my opinion - but doesn't it seem plain that most the countries around them would just be happy if they woke up one morning and found that Israel had disappeared?

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  8. I know it's hardly appropriate to say it, but that's a wonderful shot Eric!

    It's as though you were alone in an abandoned city.

    I do look forward to seeing more.

    Sunshine Coast Daily - Australia

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  9. Amazing coverage Eric. Be safe. As Guille points out, this is a sensitive topic but one that the world will be focused on for days to come. Get some sleep.

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  10. Wow! I love the shot - and from the looks of the comments so far it looks like you have unleashed a lion! Bravo!

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  11. Amazing how people protest against Israel defending themselves against Hamas.
    I did not see protests in Paris against terrorists after the World Trade Center buildings came down 9/11.
    What a sad world we live in.

    Our trip from the US to Paris may have to be put on hold.
    Be careful out there!
    Stacey

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  12. This is a shocking photo. Like a movie set, amazing. Can't be real. Eric, you must stay safe, please.

    A very sensitive topic. I think everyone's opinion is important.

    Someone used the word "disproportionate." The innocent people of Gaza have been walled in. They are imprisoned. They have no provisions. They are victims of Hamas as much as of the Israeli military action. They are being bombed and they have no escape.

    Countless innocent Israelis have lost their lives, too, while Hamas and the bombastic Israeli government use their respective citizens as cannon fodder to fight out these age-old battles.

    It's a touchy subject, but should we be silent? No, we have to talk about it.

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  13. Be careful out there, Eric!

    I'm always impressed by how so many protests (manifs) in France end with cars being set on fire. That doesn't really happen here in the U.S. in quite the same way. Like in Strasbourg a few years back -- it was amazing that there were any cars remaining to set on fire.

    I don't have an answer for the situation in Gaza, unfortunately.

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  14. Mobs somehow have a penchant for burning vehicles.

    The Indian sub continent has so many cases of buses too being set on flames in the middle of streets causing complete havoc.

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  15. those who got violent last night at boulevard haussmann were really dumb. violence sometimes achieves something; in this case, nothing.

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  16. Goodness. In London too there were angry demonstrations outside the Israeli Embassy. No car flipping as far as I know though. Quite apart from the issue involved, I feel sorry that the property of people uninvolved in any way has been damaged. Why is it necessary to do this to show their opinion?

    It's a terrible situation and I don't feel qualified, not knowing enough, to state a position as yet. Only to say that I abhor violence.

    Eric this is a fantastic shot. Photojournalism at its best. You were on the spot and it brings it straight to us. I'll be back to see those other shots for sure.

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  17. Do be careful though Eric, as someone else said. Guille, too, take care on your way to and from work - you are very precious to us, Guille. :) I always want to call you 'little Guille' - in an affectionate way of course, not patronising - I suppose because you are much younger. You are of course, nonetheless wise way beyond your years!

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  18. This is a great photo, Eric. But of course the situation is very tragic and it's a very sensitive topic.
    I agree with M.K. AND Guille... it's so hard...
    A few days ago two jewish men were shot down by some Hamash supporters here in Denmark, and a huge part of the Palestinian community was celebrating - that makes me sick ! That's NOT the way our democracy works.
    All of you in Paris;stay safe if this madness continues or even escalates.

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  19. Great shot .. Oh

    HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

    ==Alaska

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  20. Michelle - I do recall occasionally seeing cars flipped, burned or damaged in the US, in big cities. Isn't it usually after some major sporting event? Losing side retaliates?? Oh dear!!

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  21. Eric's photos havae started a dialog that is difficult, but necessary. From my peaceful Sunday a.m. perch here in New England, watching sun and shadows dancing on the snow, it is hard for me to realize or understand the violence in the Middle East or the violent reactions of protest in other places. I remind everyone of the simplest and most important phrase, "love one another".

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  22. Well Eric you have surpassed yourself! The Animoto was very moving indeed. Such a sad sight but really well photographed to get the message out.

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  23. Very moving!! Hope it moves all towards peace. Ironic, how a peaceful demonstration against violence turned to violence. I'm sure it was just a few, but it only takes a few. Hope it wasn't too close to your home.

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  24. I agree with some earlier comments Eric. Be careful with the words you use : showing such a picture with "violent anti-Israel demonstration in Paris" as a title might be a little biased.
    1/ The demonstration appears to be against Gaza's bombing and it's dangerous qualifying them as anti-Israel.
    2/ "casseurs" are not demonstrators like hooligans are not football supporters.

    Please no "amalgame" (sorry I don't know the english word for it) for the situation is worrying enough.

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  25. Wow! Did I really come back to this? I don't mean the photos (our on-the-spot reporter Eric did great), but I mean the violence. So much for the holiday spirit!

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  26. Bettina, what a terrible story! M.K. mentions the overturning of cars after sporting events and it brings hooligans to mind. Religious violence seems analogous: a "my god's better than your god" sporting event, escalating to violence that gets the world nowhere.

    I don't wish to disparage anyone's religion, only to say that our gods and religions have always taught peace and tolerance, not violence or competition. Where/how do we stop? Blaming doesn't help. Who stops first?

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  27. Lynn, for you, I'm "Lil G" anytime you want!

    GG, confusion is the good word I think (I don't pretend to be fluent, though!!). Amalgam exists too, mais au sens figuré je crois.

    This animoto is shocking...

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  28. Ah that's great, Little Guille! :)

    Hey - I know this is a serious subject but just for a second's break; - I have snow! Yay! Not too much, but it is snow. Is it snowing again in Paree?

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  29. I remember similar comments made to this blog a couple of years ago, when Israel went to war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. A blogger and routine visitor to this site gave up her daily photo at that time because of her dismay at what family members in Lebanon were suffering. Now this again.

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  30. Oh my! Sounds like a very tense situation. I would not like being a tourist and getting tangled up in a demonstration like that, though the photo opportunity would undoubtedly draw me in.

    Happy New Year, Eric. Tomorrow will be my CDPB first year anniversary. Thanks for providing the inspiration to this great community.

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  31. Thank you for all your repectful comments. I particularly appreciated that no one started blaming agressively one side or another.

    I agree that words are very important - especially in this kind of situations, but I don't really think that saying this was an anti-Israel protest shows any bias (you know how cautious, and not judgemental I try to be on PDP!)

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  32. This is a great shot! It reminds me a little bit of May '68 except the cars weren't that cool looking. I'm actually trying to buy a car just like this, but maybe I'll pass on this particular one. ;)

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  33. Yeah, sorry, I didn't wish to comment on the Israeli conflict, so it seems easier to make a semi-joke instead (and I do find the shot spectacular ).

    I don't completely agree with Petra's comment "our gods and religions have always taught peace and tolerance," but I can't debate it any further because I tend to lose my "flexibility" or diplomacy in debates involving religion, and you couldn't talk about the conflict without talking bout the underlying reasons for the conflict. Oh, well. All of this is pretty sad.

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  34. Thanks for posting this, Eric. I think the comments have been excellent, and we certainly do need to talk about these issues or peace will be just a mirage...

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  35. It is sad that people do resort to destruction of property and hurting those who are not even remotely involved in any of the conflict whatsoever. It would be sad to come out the next morning and realize that you (or your car) was just an innocent bystander in something where people got carried away by their emotions.

    I do pray that there will be a calm in the Middle East. It seems unlikely, but that is what prayer is, asking for something beyond our capabilities. I may not understand why there is so much fighting, but thankfully, the One in control does and knows the ultimate ending.

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  36. Whatever we think of the situation in Gaza, Car Burning for peace is quite sad.

    But to all the non French here: we are not into chaos. Your comments made me wonder if you think this.
    So yes, you can safely travel to Paris.

    Jolie photo en tout cas!

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  37. A horrible war. There's been a few demonstrations in Stockholm. Great journalistic photo here Eric!

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  38. Yikes. Tipping cars on the streets of Paris sure isn't going to bring peace to the holyland.

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