Pro-Palestine activism facing suppression in Europe, Muslim groups warn

Muslim civil society organisations have raised the alarm about a rising tide of state suppression of pro-Palestinian activism across Europe at a major security conference in Poland.

Speakers at this week’s Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Warsaw Human Dimension Conference have included Elias d’Imzalene, a prominent French Muslim activist set to stand trial later this month over a speech in which he called for “intifada in Paris” during a pro-Palestine demonstration in September.

Addressing the conference on Monday, d’Imzalene said France had become “the spearhead of Islamophobia and discrimination in Europe”.

“This year, to make sure it remains ahead of the game, any activist calling for a ceasefire in Gaza is being severely persecuted. The state seeks to silence their voice by any means necessary,” d’Imzalene said, speaking on behalf of Perspectives Musulmanes, a French Muslim advocacy organisation.

D’Imzalene was arrested and held in custody over a speech at a protest in the French capital on 8 September in which he asked the crowd: “Are we ready to lead the intifada in Paris? In our suburbs? In our neighbourhoods?”

Elias d'imazlene to stand trial — Elias d’Imzalene is set to stand trial later this month after a speech in which he called for "intifada in Paris" (Screengrab)