Karim Benzema to Sue French Interior Minister Amid Controversy Over His Support for Gaza Residents
In a stunning development, French football star Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, is taking legal action against four individuals including French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The legal action comes in response to allegations connecting Benzema to the Muslim Brotherhood after he publicly expressed solidarity with the residents of Gaza amidst ongoing hostilities between Hamas and Israel.
French football star Karim Benzema-Source: Al-Arabyia
The tweet posted by Benzema, of Algerian descent, gained colossal traction, amassing approximately 50 million views. In his tweet, Benzema wrote, “Our prayers are with the residents of Gaza, who have once again become the victims of brutal bombings that spare neither child nor woman.”
Toutes nos prières pour les habitants de Gaza victimes une fois de plus de ces bombardements injustes qui n’épargnent ni femmes ni enfants.
— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) October 15, 2023
Interior Minister Darmanin, appearing on the television program ‘L’heure des Pros’ on C News channel, accused Benzema of having affiliations with the Muslim Brotherhood. Former French Minister Nadine Morano also criticized the player, suggesting he had chosen sides and become an “agent of propaganda” working towards the destruction of Israel.
🚨🇫🇷🇵🇸Menteri Dalam Negeri, Gérald Darmanin, menyebutkan di CNEWS bahwa Karim Benzema memiliki hubungan yang kontroversial dengan Ikhwanul Muslimin. 🗣️
🎙️ “Tuan Karim Benzema, seperti yang kita semua tahu, memiliki hubungan dengan Ikhwanul Muslimin.”
Organisasi ini dianggap… pic.twitter.com/B9QrYEAttw
— FaktaBola (@FaktaSepakbola) October 18, 2023
Benzema’s attorney, Hugues Vigier, conveyed that they are preparing to file a lawsuit against four persons—Interior Minister Darmanin, European Parliament members Frank Tapiro and Nadine Morano, and member of the French Senate from The Republicans, Valérie Boyer.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Karim Benzema |
| Defendants | Gérald Darmanin, Frank Tapiro, Nadine Morano, Valérie Boyer |
| Reason for Lawsuit | Allegations linking Benzema to Muslim Brotherhood |
| Originating Tweet | Support for residents of Gaza |
| Public Reaction | 50 million views on Benzema’s tweet |
| Accusations by Darmanin | Alleged affiliation with Muslim Brotherhood |
| Legal Representative | Hugues Vigier |
This development has brought the role of athletes in political activism under renewed scrutiny and raised questions about the boundaries of free speech in a politically tense environment.
