NICE, France

Thousands gathered for a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday after authorities lifted a ban imposed after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in Israel.

The administrative court of Paris authorized the demonstration organized by the New Anticapitalist Party at the Place de la Republique in central Paris.

"Slogans criticizing Israeli policy and French government's stance … do not seem to be able to qualify as antisemitic," the ruling said.

Police were using water cannons to disperse the crowd, but they had to withdraw after the verdict, and the demonstration went on.

Last week, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, through a directive he sent to provincial authorities, ordered a ban on all pro-Palestinian rallies and arrest of their organizers. He said such rallies could disturb public order.

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Children of Palestine, children of Gaza, humanity is murdered" and "Murderer Israel, Macron accomplice."

Israel has bombed Gaza since the Hamas offensive, and has put the entire enclave under a blockade, leaving 2.3 million residents with little food, water, fuel and medical supplies.

At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.