First of all, this poll is reassuring in that it reveals that the vast majority of French people are aware of the extent of antisemitism and understand that French Jews today have fears within French society. Jews are therefore not alone in facing antisemitism.
I would strongly emphasize that while antisemitism is on the rise in France, France is not, therefore, an antisemitic country. Precisely because—and this answers your question—the State and public authorities are, in principle, committed to the fight against antisemitism. The issue is not about intention, but about the scope and effectiveness of the resources deployed. And I would add that civil society, associations, unions—every citizen—has a role to play in this fight.
However, two groups within the French population should concern us: the younger generation on the one hand, and supporters of La France Insoumise on the other. In these two groups, antisemitism is not viewed in the same way as in the rest of the population. It is minimized, relativized, and sometimes even embraced.
For the far left, there is a powerful ideological bias: a political framework that blinds them to antisemitism. Everything is interpreted through the lens of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which neutralizes some of the defenses against antisemitism.
Among younger generations, social media plays a major role: it normalizes antisemitic rhetoric, systematically equates Jews and Muslims, and refuses to acknowledge the specific nature of antisemitism within the spectrum of hatred. For some in this generation, the Palestinian cause has become a rallying cry, often presented in a simplistic and caricatured way. All of this diminishes their ability to understand what antisemitism truly is today.
What would you personally say to a young Frenchman today who is antisemitic, influenced by this propaganda, this relentless indoctrination propagated on social networks and in Islam-leftist movements?
I would tell him first that antisemitism is not just about hating Jews. It is also about attacking fundamental principles that structure our Republic and our society: equality, the dignity of each individual, universalism.
Antisemitism appears to target a group – the Jews – but through them it exerts violence on our entire society, which is a threat to all French people.
Is that why antisemitism is often a form of self-hatred?
Absolutely, it undermines the very foundations of our living together.
Two years ago, on November 12, 2023, hundreds of thousands of people marched « for the Republic and against antisemitism. » On that same November 12th, you organized a large gathering, a reminder of national unity, in the presence of Gérard Larcher and Yal Braun-Pivet.
Once again, as two years ago, the President of the Republic was conspicuous by his absence. Do you believe that Emmanuel Macron has broken this delicate balance, this position of equilibrium between communities, particularly by not marching on November 12, 2023, alongside the French people outraged by October 7, and by recognizing the State of Palestine before the release of the hostages and the eradication of Hamas?
At the time, I said it publicly: I regretted the absence of the President of the Republic at the march on November 12, 2023. It was a missed opportunity to send a message of unity to the country and to embody, at the highest level of the State, the republican universalism of which the denunciation of antisemitism must be a unifying pillar, as our survey reminds us.
On foreign policy, I also regretted that, in my view, there was a form of adherence of French diplomacy to a narrative, an Arab-Palestinian narrative which, in the long term, does not correspond to the interests of France.
France’s best interest would have been to more clearly maintain the balanced position you mentioned, one that acknowledges its solidarity with the democratic camp. In this war, democracy is the State of Israel. We may wish to distinguish ourselves from the United States, but that should not distance us from the democratic camp.
Shouldn’t the doctrine for combating antisemitism be: « let nothing go unpunished »? For example, what do you think of actress Lina Khoudri’s participation in the November 13th ceremony, given that she had downplayed the seriousness of the October 7th attack?
In principle, of course, we must not let anything go unchecked. Antisemitism always finds its way into our weaknesses, our compromises, our acquiescence. Therefore, extreme vigilance is necessary.
Regarding Lyna Khoudri specifically, I don’t want to single out any one person, even if her stances after October 7th raise questions. What I want to say more broadly is that the art and culture world, as a whole, has failed since October 7th.
Many figures in the cultural world, whether driven by ideology or cowardice, have embraced narratives that deny Israel’s right to exist and disregard the atrocities committed by Hamas. The cultural world should have been a conscience, a moral compass, in a moment of shock. It was not. And that, for me, is very serious.
What is your response to the Jews in France who, today, tell you that they want to leave France?
These are deeply personal choices. I would never presume to judge the decisions of families or individuals who choose to leave, whether for Israel or elsewhere.
But I have a responsibility: to ensure that no one leaves France because of antisemitism. Leaving for positive reasons—a life project, an attachment to Israel, opportunities—is one thing. Leaving because one believes France is no longer a livable place for a Jew is quite another. And this should concern everyone, not just Jewish institutions.
Every time a French person, whoever they may be, leaves because they believe their future can no longer be in France, it is a collective defeat. For Jews, this phenomenon did not begin on October 7th; it is linked to a cycle of more than twenty years, since the Second Intifada, with the return of violent antisemitism to our soil.
This is also why I constantly speak of a « Jewish identity of civic struggle. » It means that, unfortunately, we are deprived of the peace of mind to which we, like any other citizen, should be entitled. Faced with this fear, some Jews choose to leave, others choose renunciation, and still others choose « Maranization, » that is, hiding their identity, erasing themselves.
I advocate for a combative and civic Jewish identity, clear-sighted about the historical moment, proud of who it is and what it brings to France. And one that carries a message to all our fellow citizens: what threatens us, Jews, threatens us all. Antisemitism never stops at Jews.
You have been president of the CRIF since 2022. You have renewed its image, opening the institution up more « beyond the walls » of the Jewish community alone. What have « the Arfi years » at the head of the CRIF been like?
I don’t believe there is a fundamental break with my predecessors. Each of them embodied the CRIF in their own way, in very different contexts.
But it is certain that my presidency was profoundly affected by October 7th. It is a defining moment, as other tragedies have been for those who preceded me. Since that day, I have tried, by every means possible, to make French society understand that what concerns Jews concerns it as a whole.
I am often asked what the role of the CRIF is. I summarize it like this: antisemitism begins with Jews, it never ends with Jews. My ambition is to say this and explain it in a thousand ways to all French people.
Deep down, we yearn for a normality that eludes us today. But this normality must remain our horizon.
You are organizing the CRIF National Convention on November 23rd, entitled: « Has the Republic had its last word? ». So, has the Republic had its last word?
Of course not, the Republic hasn’t had its last word. But I hear the doubts, the fears, the anxieties. I see the erosion of commitment to secularism, the decline of republican universalism, the rise of an increasingly communitarian society. All of this worries me.
But I’m willing to bet that all is not lost. In other difficult moments in our history, there have been recoveries. The path to salvation for the Jews of France is the same as that of the Republic’s recovery. It’s not a separate story.
Our National Convention aims precisely to explore ways and means of combating antisemitism and defending the Republic. This was already the message of the march on November 12, 2023: « For the Republic and against antisemitism. » The two struggles are one and the same.
This interview was originally published in French by Opinion Internationale.
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