The controversy got the better of the celebration.
Due to the controversial presence of pro-Palestinian activist Rima Hassan among the nominees, the ceremony in honor of the “40 women of the year 2023” of the economic magazine Forbes was canceled.
⚠️ RT
I announce to you with anger and sadness that the entire Forbes trophy award ceremony intended to reward the 40 French women of the year for their commitment, their journey and their career, has been canceled due to the pressure and intimidation of these …
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) February 3, 2024
In a series of messages on X, the activist announced on Friday the cancellation of the event, scheduled for March 28 at the Ritz in Paris.
“I announce to you with anger and sadness that the entire Forbes trophy ceremony intended to reward the 40 French women of the year for their commitment, their journey and their career, has been canceled,” writes Rima Hassan.
Information confirmed by the magazine at Le Parisien this Saturday.
“The conditions are no longer met to guarantee the smooth running of the evening” as well as the “safety” of the guests, explains Forbes, without saying more about the context.
Criticized by Jewish personalities
But according to Rima Hassan, this cancellation is explained by “pressure and intimidation in recent days”, linked to her presence among the “40 French women of the year 2023”, a choice which aroused the anger of several organizations and personalities. Jews accusing him of anti-Semitism.
“If you want to be in the next Forbes France ranking, the easiest way is to advocate Hamas terrorism and be a patent anti-Semite,” wrote for example the host Arthur, on Instagram, a few days ago .
“Don't be surprised to see the anti-Semite Rima Hassan honored among the 40 women of the year 2023. Anti-Semitism and the apology of terrorism are the new symbols of success at Forbes,” added the producer.
“Defending the Palestinian cause is one thing, supporting Hamas is another.
Activist Rima Hassan looks like a progressive, talks like a progressive but follows the agenda of Hamas fundamentalists and justifies the October 7 abuses.
Forbes would be honored that she was not present at its annual ceremony,” responded the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) Yonathan Arfi.
Controversial remarks about Hamas
At the origin of the controversy, comments made by Rima Hassan in a video from the media Le Crayon.
In the video, taken from a program broadcast on November 29, a journalist asks the young woman three questions.
“Hamas is carrying out legitimate action.
Does the State of Israel have a right of defense?
Is the two-state solution possible?
".
“True”, “false”, and “false”, replied Rima Hassan.
Defending the Palestinian cause is one thing, supporting Hamas is another.
Activist Rima Hassan looks like a progressive, talks like a progressive but follows the agenda of Hamas fundamentalists and justifies the October 7 abuses.
Forbes would be honored by this… pic.twitter.com/aOEIyy14RL
— Yonathan Arfi (@Yonathan_Arfi) January 29, 2024
In response, Rima Hassan assured that the extract was truncated and lacked context.
She explains having condemned the terrorist action of Hamas in another question, absent from the extract.
But for many detractors, these positions are enough to qualify the activist as anti-Semitic.
Faced with these accusations, Rima Hassan also announced that she had filed a complaint against the host Arthur, to denounce these “acts of defamation having significant repercussions for her”, indicated her lawyer Yassine Bouzrou.
The latter points in particular to “facts likely to damage its image and reputation”.
Since October 7, Rima Hassan has become one of the figures of the Palestinian cause.
Aged 31, she notably created the Action France Palestine collective and the Refugee Camp Observatory, to investigate what she describes as “non-places”.
The trained lawyer, born in the suburbs of Aleppo (Syria), has increased her interventions in the media since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas to defend the Palestinian question.
On several sets, she denounces “apartheid” and the “genocide” of which the Palestinians are victims.
Positions criticized by some, who accuse him of contesting Israel's right to exist.