Grenoble concert of DJ Barbara Butch halted by pro-Palestinian protesters over Yadan law support; LFI backs boycott
Around 150 militants waving Palestinian flags and throwing bottles forced the DJ off stage at the Cabaret Frappé festival, after she signed a tribune backing the controversial Yadan anti-Semitism bill.
Concert interrupted
On Saturday evening, July 18, around 22:20, DJ Barbara Butch began her set at the Cabaret Frappé festival in Grenoble's Jardin de Ville. Within minutes, more than a hundred protesters waving Palestinian flags, blowing whistles, and making obscene gestures gathered near the stage. A festival programming official said around 150 militants were in front of the stage with banners, whistling and insulting the artist. The performance was halted after about 20 minutes when bottles and other projectiles were thrown at the stage, and electrical installations were sabotaged, according to the city. The artist was forced to leave.
- Barbara Butch begins her set at the Cabaret Frappé festival in Grenoble.
- Concert interrupted after about 20 minutes by pro-Palestinian protesters.
- Grenoble mayor Laurence Ruffin condemns the attack and announces a complaint.
- LFI national coordinator Manuel Bompard says he understands peaceful protest against the DJ's political stance.
Why the protest
The protest was triggered by Butch's signature on a tribune supporting the Yadan law proposal, a bill aimed at combating new forms of anti-Semitism. The law, which would have expanded the offense of apologizing for terrorism, was heavily criticized by opponents who argued it threatened freedom of expression and risked conflating French Jews with Israel. The government withdrew the bill in April 2026. Local LFI officials in Grenoble had called for a boycott of the concert since May, denouncing her support for the law.
LFI defends the action
Allan Brunon, an LFI elected official in Grenoble who was present at the protest, said the party was "extremely proud to have participated in this peaceful protest." He denied that any projectiles were thrown and insisted there was "no violence, just peaceful activists." He also stated that "La France insoumise never called for violence against Ms. Butch." Manuel Bompard, LFI's national coordinator, said on franceinfo that he understood "that a political stance can generate a protest, provided it is peaceful." He condemned any insults as "absolutely unacceptable" but maintained that the authorities, not the protesters, decided to stop the concert.
I can understand that this political stance can generate a protest, as long as that protest is peaceful.
Condemnation and reactions
Grenoble mayor Laurence Ruffin, who had opposed the Yadan law, called the events "intolerable" and announced the city would file a complaint. She cited "bottle throws and various projectiles deliberately aimed at the stage" and "acts of sabotage of electrical installations." The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (Licra) expressed support for Butch and called for an investigation. Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure criticized LFI, stating the party "does not serve the Palestinian cause" and that "these methods do not help the Palestinians and discredit sincere activists."
LFI does not serve the Palestinian cause. These methods do not help the Palestinians and discredit sincere activists.
Background on Barbara Butch
Butch, a Jewish and lesbian DJ, is a well-known figure in Paris nightlife and an outspoken opponent of anti-Semitism, homophobia, and fatphobia. She gained wider recognition after performing at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She had previously faced cyberharassment with fatphobic and homophobic insults following that appearance. The debate over boycotts of cultural events is an old one in France, as Bompard noted, but the violence at this concert has drawn sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum.
