Following the initial attack by terror group Hamas on Israel, France has begun to face a wave of terror threats. As a result, the country has taken drastic measures to protect itself and it’s citizens.
On Friday, October 13, a knife wielding man killed a teacher and injured three other people at a school in northern France, which was described as an “Islamist terror attack” by officials. In response to this attack, the French government raised its terrorist threat alert to the highest level and deployed 7,000 troops for increased security.
This led to the evacuation of both the Palace de Versailles and The Louvre museum on Saturday, October 14 due to written bomb threats.
NOW – Palace of Versailles in Paris is evacuated. Bomb threat.pic.twitter.com/7YabgZRyU4
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 14, 2023
Saturday morning saw tourists being evacuated from one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Paris – The Palace of Versailles. Alarms went off throughout the vast palace as visitors were ushered out while some stopped to take photographs.
People were perplexed by this sudden evacuation but it was necessary due to increased tension within France since Thursday when protesters rejected a crackdown on pro-Palestine demonstrations by spray painting Free Palestine on The Statue of Republic which led to police using tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators who defied the ban against any pro-Palestinian marches.
NOW – Louvre Museum in Paris is evacuated. Bomb threat.pic.twitter.com/qB0WRqUMAa
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 14, 2023
Another major attraction in Paris that had to close early due to written threats was The Louvre Museum; home to world renowned works such as Monalisa. With around 30,000 – 40,000 visitors visiting daily, it was announced that all personnel and visitors needed be evacuated immediately with no injuries or incidents reported during this process.
Currently inspections are ongoing within the museum as authorities remain vigilant about any potential terrorist attacks within their borders.
France bans Free Palestine demonstrations, protesters respond by vandalizing Statue of the Republic
In Paris, protesters spray painted ‘’Free Palestine’’ on the Statue of the Republic.
Protesters chanted: “We are all Palestinians!’’
France's interior minister banned all… pic.twitter.com/THkNAIbvZT
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) October 12, 2023
The Israeli-Hamas conflict is also having an effect upon tensions within France with Interior Minister banning all pro-Palestinian demonstrations due reports suggesting antisemitic acts have been increasing since Hamas launched its attacks over the weekend towards Israel.
Therefore authorities remain wary about potential violence erupting across their country if these conflicts continue escalating further between both sides over time.
