Anti-Semitism law sparks controversy in France. The project is contested by left-wing parties

A proposed law aimed at fighting “new forms” of anti-Semitism, disguised as anti-Zionism, is causing controversy in France, AFP reports on Monday. His left-wing opponents see in this a confusion between Jews and Israel and an attempt to curtail any criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.

Supported by Caroline Yadan, deputy of the Renaissance party (Renaissance, presidential majority) for a constituency of French abroad that includes Israel, the text appeared on the agenda of the National Assembly on Monday. The busy agenda offers few chances that this text, which arouses heated debates, will be examined and voted on before midnight.

“Israel, a good reason to hate Jews”

The proposal seeks to respond to the “explosion of anti-Semitic acts in France” and its “renewed forms” since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, including the call for the destruction of Israel, according to Yadan.

“Anti-Semitism is never fixed. It adapts. It changes its mask,” said the author of the text during the commission's examination on Wednesday. “In history, the Jews are always guilty: too rich or too poor, well poisoners, organ thieves, baby killers, Jesus killers. There is always, unfortunately, a good reason to hate the Jews. Today, that good reason is called Israel.”

The text intends to strengthen the punishment for the crimes of provoking and glorifying terrorism, prohibiting, for example, their presentation as an act of resistance, and creates a new crime, punishing calls for the disappearance of a state.

It also clarifies the scope of the Holocaust denial offense to include in the law the downplaying or trivialization of crimes against humanity committed during the Second World War as an expression of anti-Semitism.

After its submission at the end of 2024, the bill, co-signed by more than 120 deputies from the government camp, but also by some socialists, raised important reservations. Determined to see her text adopted, Yadan personally notified the Council of State and considered its many recommendations.

Criticism of Zionism, “a normal democratic debate”

The proposal continues to raise concerns on the left of the political spectrum. In the last days, several intellectuals, as well as personalities of Jewish origin, sent public messages asking the deputies to reject the text.

“Criticizing Zionism, like any political ideology, is part of the normal democratic debate, while anti-Semitism, like all forms of racism, is a crime that must be fought and punished”, writes in an article in Liberation a group that includes Pierre Tartakowsky, honorary president of the League for Human Rights.

According to the signatories, “mixing the two” would mean “questioning the democratic freedom to debate” and would weaken the fight against anti-Semitism. In addition, this text could feed “the idea, truly anti-Semitic, according to which 'Jews' are always treated better than others”, this group expresses its concern.

Another article, published in the journal Le Nouvel Obs, by researchers Jean-Christophe Attias and Esther Benbassa raises the following question: “Without denying that Zionism was a response to anti-Semitism, should we ignore its colonial dimension?” “To ban comparisons means to ban historians from doing their work,” they denounce, considering that the text could hinder the activity of researchers, journalists and activists for the Palestinian cause.

Adopted on Wednesday in the legislative committee with 18 votes for and 14 against, the text received the support of the government camp and the Rassemblement national formation (RN, extreme right).

On the left, the communists, La France insoumise (LFI, radical left) and environmentalists voted against, considering the current legislative arsenal sufficient and asking the state to provide more resources for prevention and education.

The Socialists abstained, but the group appears divided. Their vote could tip the balance in the event of a vote. A handful of socialist deputies, including former president Francois Hollande, are even co-signatories of the text.

The candidate for the mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, signed this text “out of an impulse of principle, given my commitment in the fight against anti-Semitism”, before withdrawing, seeing in it “inaccuracies” and “dangers”, he explained to AFP. Olivier Faure, the general secretary of the PS, also expressed his opposition to this bill on Thursday