French interior minister: Gaza protests were 'anti-Semitic'

France's interior minister Monday said there were acts of anti-Semitism during a rally against Israel's Gaza offensive, which descended into violence pitting pro-Palestinians against Jews.

"When you head for the synagogue, when you burn a corner shop because it is Jewish-owned, you are committing an anti-Semitic act," Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters outside the Sarcelles synagogue.

Eighteen people were arrested in Sunday's demonstration in Sarcelles.

The blistering Gaza offensive has deeply polarised opinion in a country that counts the largest Muslim population in western Europe and a huge Jewish community.

The rally had been banned, but the bans have drawn controversy as the rallies took place anyway and turned violent, while authorised ones elsewhere in the country -- as well as across Europe -- were peaceful.