Former French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Sunday denounced what he described as the “disproportionate war” launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip, which he believes is leading to the spread of anti-Semitism in France.
Kushner asked on Radio G, “How can one not feel anti-Semitism when they see the devastation caused by the Israeli army? Look at Gaza, it is an arena of killing, disasters, and the separation of families.”
He continued, saying: “Of course, October 7th happened, and that made me very angry, but revenge for 40,000 dead, if the number is correct…” The broadcaster interrupted him, asking: “You say that with what is happening in Gaza, it is natural for us to feel anti-Semitism?” “.
Kushner replied, “It is not normal, but the reaction may be this way,” stressing that “anti-Semitism is foolish logic, and a deep-rooted evil.”
Kouchner, who held the Foreign Ministry between 2007 and 2010 during the era of President Nicolas Sarkozy, stressed that as a former humanitarian worker, he cannot help but condemn what is happening.
He added: “A huge number of people were killed. It is a deadly response… and I have spent my life treating people.”
Kouchner, nicknamed “The French Doctor,” who founded the “Doctors of the World” organization, treated children in Afghanistan over the years, treated boat refugees in the South China Sea, and provided his services in Lebanon during the war and in besieged Sarajevo.
The French authorities believe that anti-Semitic acts increased by 1,000% after the attack of last October 7 in the last quarter of 2023 in France.
Since the beginning of the year 2024, it has increased almost three times – compared to the same period of the previous year – with “887 actually” recorded in the first quarter, according to official figures from the French authorities.