Thousands of demonstrators protested across France in support of Palestinians and calling for peace in Gaza, AFP reports.

French trade unions, left-wing parties and pro-Palestinian activist groups called for a global weekend of protests against Israel’s offensive in the territory.

In Paris, where the largest march took place, police counted 9,000 demonstrators, while the CGT trade union and hard-left party France Unbowed (LFI) said 150,000 attended the gathering.

European Parliament member Rima Hassan called on supporters to “deviate, disobey and take all necessary actions to enforce international law, to put an end to genocide”.

Protesters criticised France’s stance on the conflict, branding it conciliatory or even “complicit” with the Israeli government.

“We don’t want what is happening in Gaza to be silenced. Every day we hear that 30, 60 people have died. It has become routine, we don’t see it anymore, and I’m afraid that with what’s happening with Iran, it will become even more invisible,” said one protester, Eve, 63, who declined to give her last name.

Thousands of people also rallied in the cities of Marseille, Toulouse and Rennes.