Karim Benzema on target of French Interior Minister for supporting Palestine

Karim Benzema is on target of French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin for supporting Palestine.

French Interior Minister accused France soccer’s most famous star and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema of having connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group that France considers a terrorist organization.

In his appearance on French TV on Monday, Darmanin said: “We have closed 1,100 Islamist establishments. And in recent weeks, I’ve been particularly interested, Mr. Benzema is linked, we all know it, notoriously with the Muslim Brotherhood.

“We are attacking a hydra that is the Muslim Brotherhood because they create an ‘atmospheric jihadism,’ as Gilles Kepel would say,” added Darmanin, referring to the political scientist.

Darmanin was pressed on whether Benzema encapsulates the “feeling of embracing the Palestinian cause, almost in opposition to what may be happening.”

In reply, Darmanin said: “You can embrace the Palestinian cause, you can want a Palestinian state, without wanting to behead Jewish children in the kibbutz. … When you have a voice like Mr. Benzema’s, you have a responsibility when you tweet, to at least condemn the Hamas terrorist attacks.”

🇫🇷 Gérald #Darmanin, affirme « être au courant d'un lien entre le footballeur français Karim Benzema et les Frères Musulmans »,

🛑 La sénatrice française, Valérie Boyer, demande que lui soit retiré son Ballon d'Or et sa nationalité française ‼️#KarimBenzema #Benzema… pic.twitter.com/3WLLSfWueO

— AlertesJustice (@alertesjustice) October 18, 2023

Adding more to it, Valerie Boye, who is a senator in France said, “If the Interior Minister’s claims are confirmed, we have to consider sanctions against Karim Benzema. A symbolic sanction would first be to take away the Ballon d’Or. Then, we have to ask for his nationality to be withdrawn.”

The striker has 97 appearances for France’s men’s national team, scoring 37 goals.

Benzema who is widely recognized as one of the greatest French players of all time, retired from international duty last year after making his senior debut in 2007.

Benzema after expressing his support for Palestinians on Sunday in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed at least 3,500 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, found himself mired in political controversy amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“All our prayers go out to the people of Gaza, victims once again of unjust bombings that spare neither women nor children,” Benzema wrote on platform X, formerly Twitter.

Benzema has won the UEFA Champions League five times and scored 354 goals for Real Madrid.

He moved this past summer to Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad.

While Darmanin is yet to provide any evidence to support his claims, #WeStandWithKarimBenzema trends on X-Platform following the reports that the French minister intends to revoke his citizenship in the wake of allegations.

 

Hypocrisy of Western countries.#WeStandWithKarimBenzema pic.twitter.com/1KRMsQMU2a

— Ahmad (@A7ma0d) October 18, 2023

 

In a world where many footballers remain silent or tread lightly, you stood up for Gaza. You’ve demonstrated not just incredible courage but also carved a legacy of integrity. Beyond your prowess on the pitch, you’ve risen as a champion for truth.🌟#WeStandWithKarimBenzema pic.twitter.com/SoMBg1RK6B

— Abdulaziz (@azizf_1) October 18, 2023

 

We are all with Karim #Benzema and what he did is something we are proud of ❤️

#WeStandWithKarimBenzema pic.twitter.com/2TDet831Dz

— عز (@MnbrIl) October 18, 2023

 

#WeStandWithKarimBenzema
Full story
•He supported Palestine and the people of Gaza
•France officially accuses him of being member of the Muslim Brotherhood
•MP in France wants to revoke his citizenship
•A representative in France wants to withdraw his Golden Ball

Freedom🤡 pic.twitter.com/wVxuGBXHGK

— Alaa || Yamato (@_alaaa67) October 18, 2023

freedom of speech!
Yes, when it suits personal or political agendas.#Benzema #GazaHospital #بنزيما

— MJ – Abu Taymiyyah (@AbuTaymiyyahMJ) October 18, 2023

French Minister calls Karim Benzema a "terrorist" for showing support and donating to children in Gaza.

Basically, "He's French if he shuts up, but an Arab terrorist when he speaks up." pic.twitter.com/5CjG25noiC

— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) October 18, 2023

(2/2) pic.twitter.com/9Ajh2OYFAn

— Mister J. – مسٹر جے (@Angryman_J) October 18, 2023

#WeStandWithKarimBenzema
Full story
•He supported Palestine and the people of Gaza

•France officially accuses him of being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood

•MP in France wants to revoke his citizenship

•A representative in France wants to withdraw his Golden Ball pic.twitter.com/OISWQXhbhi

— kamso_FCB (@nnubia_chikamso) October 18, 2023

 

Last week, French Interior Minister Darmanin announced a new ban on pro-Palestinian rallies in the country.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations must be prohibited because they are likely to generate disturbances to the public order,” said the minister.

He added that any organization of such protests will lead to arrests.

Darmanin also called on the police to protect all locations visited by French Jews such as synagogues and schools, and said any foreigner committing acts of anti-Semitism on French soil will be “immediately expelled.”