French society unites against antisemitism

In a surprising turn of events, a major demonstration against antisemitism in Paris will include representatives from the far right but not the far left. This demonstration, organized in response to the rise in antisemitic actions in France, aims to show support for “Republican” values and reject antisemitism. The presence of Marine Le Pen, the three-times presidential candidate for the National Rally, and Jordan Bardella, the party’s young president, highlights the changing political landscape in France. Historically, the far right was considered “anti-Republican” and was shunned, while the far left was included in the broad political family. However, the current far right in France has shifted its focus to issues such as immigration, insecurity, and Islamism, finding common ground with many Jews. On the other hand, the far left sees the situation in Gaza through an anti-colonial lens and expresses solidarity with the Palestinians. This shift in the political order reflects broader trends across Europe. While some believe that the far right, due to its French-first ethos, is inherently anti-Jewish, others argue that the National Rally, under Marine Le Pen’s leadership, is successfully maneuvering itself into the mainstream. Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s France Unbowed party is facing accusations of antisemitism for failing to denounce Hamas as a terrorist organization. Opinion polls indicate that Marine Le Pen would dominate the opposition in a presidential election, while Mélenchon’s popularity has significantly declined. Serge Klarsfeld, a prominent figure in the fight against antisemitism in France, expressed mixed feelings about these political shifts, stating that he is relieved to see the far right abandon antisemitism but saddened by the far left’s actions.