Anti-Semitism haunts political debate in France

The political debate in France and more broadly in the rest of society has been marked by a surge in anti-Semitism.

The French Jewish community feels threatened by pro-Islamists and remains skeptical about the new pro-Israeli discourse of Marine Le Pen’s party.

“They wanted to present themselves as a respectable party. They wanted to present themselves as a shield, a protection against anti-Semitism for French Jews. But we are not fooled. The National Rally will remain the National Front of the historic president Jean-Marie Le Pen and I do not forget that they have a racist and xenophobic ideology..” says Shannon Sebancandidate for the “Ensemble” party (10th constituency of Val-de-Marne) for the legislative elections.

Shannon Seban has also been threatened by the far left, she said.

The French Jewish community therefore finds itself divided between left and right and is worried about the anti-Israeli slogans of the left.

An observation made Serge KlarsfeldHolocaust survivor and famous Nazi hunter.

“The only victory against anti-Semitism is that the parties that were anti-Semitic are no longer so. Unfortunately, the parties that were not supposed to be anti-Semitic have become so. The far left has become the far right with regard to Jews.” he laments

Numerous anti-Semitic acts and attacks in Europe and France since October 7

Some of the attacks on Jews in Europe took place right from the start of the war Gaza and have fed on criticism of the policy, particularly towards civilian populations, of the Israeli government in this conflict.

“THE National Rally has adopted a tactic which, in the name of its anti-Islamism, has become pro-Jewish and attempts to reassure and will probably reassure a conservative and reactionary part of the Jewish community in France” says Jean-Pierre Darnis, Professor at the University of Nice.

How did Giorgia Meloni try to de-demonize her party?

In Italy, the leader of the Italian far right, Giorgia Melonihas also adopted a pro-Israel discourse. At the same time, she has told anti-Semitic fringes to leave her party and take another political path.

“If you decide to stay on this path (fascism and anti-Semitism) or to remain ambiguous, you are on an alternative path which is not ours. Here is such a clear statement from the National Rally, which I have not yet heard.” explains Gaetano Quagliariello Professor of contemporary history at the LUISS University of Rome.

The major difference between the Italian far right and the French far right is that the former has been running a country for two years.

Giorgia Meloni has therefore had to deal with global politics, and pressure from other European leaders, and not just the moods of the national electorate.