On the occasion of the visit to Montpellier by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, on Friday, April 17, several dozen people gathered in Place de la Comédie at the call of the MRAP and the Association France Palestine Solidarité 34. The mobilization aimed to express criticism of French diplomatic position. “We wanted to show our disagreement with France’s foreign policy,” explains Béatrice Rougy, a member of MRAP. While Jean-Noël Barrot was at the House of International Relations, his chief of staff met with the activists for about thirty minutes.
Although the protesters appreciate that a representative of the minister came to meet them, the responses provided raise some concerns. “We can’t say we are very satisfied,” says Béatrice Rougy. Among the issues discussed, the question of exports related to armaments to Israel has sparked criticism. “They started by denying, then said it was not weapons but components, and then that it was only defensive weapons.” A distinction considered unclear by the participants.
Context: The article covers a protest in Montpellier about French foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine.
Fact Check: The article mentions the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, but there is no public figure with that exact name in France. Double-check the accuracy of the minister’s name.
