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Facing a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents across France, tens of thousands of people took part in a major rally against anti-Semitism in Paris on Sunday. The ‘Great March’ started in the afternoon in front of the National Assembly behind a large banner with the motto ‘For the Republic, against anti-Semitism’. The right-wing populist Marine Le Pen (59) also participated, but not the left-wing populist party La France Insoumise (LFI).
Leading the demonstration were Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (62), former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy (68) and François Hollande (69), the chairman of the Jewish umbrella organization Crif, Yonathan Arfi (43), as well as the two presidents of the National Assembly and Senate, Yaël Braun-Pivet (52) and Gérard Larcher (74), on whose initiative the ‘great citizens’ march’ came about.
Several former prime ministers, religious representatives and numerous ministers were also represented in the front rows. President Emmanuel Macron (45) did not participate in the meeting in Paris, but assured in advance that he would be there “in spirit”.
Concerns about violence are great
Since the start of the war between the radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel, French authorities have registered almost 1,250 anti-Semitic crimes, including insults and graffiti, as well as acts of violence. Since France is home to both the largest Jewish and largest Muslim communities in Europe, there is great concern that violence in the Middle East will spread to the country.
According to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin (41), more than 3,000 police officers should provide security in Paris alone. Further meetings were planned in various cities and towns across the country.
In a letter to the French published by Le Parisien newspaper on Saturday evening, Macron condemned the “unbearable resurgence of rampant anti-Semitism.” “A France in which our Jewish fellow citizens are afraid is not France,” Macron wrote.
“A France in which the French are afraid because of their religion or origin is not France.” The march against anti-Semitism in Paris should show that France is united “behind its values and its universalism,” he explained.
Partnership with UNESCO
The large demonstration had already become a political issue in advance. This was ensured by the boycott of the left-wing populist LFI and Le Pen’s call for their supporters to participate in the “Great March”.
Before the march started, Prime Minister Borne wrote on the online service X that the absence of the left “speaks for itself”. But the presence of Marine Le Pen and her Rassemblement National party “doesn’t mislead anyone,” she added, citing the party’s anti-Semitic past. Meanwhile, members of the left-wing Golem organization were prevented by police from blocking Le Pen’s participation in the rally.
In the fight against increasing anti-Semitic incidents in schools and universities, the French government has announced a partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). This is aimed at helping teachers with concrete advice to “prevent and combat anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred in schools,” the French Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. In a first step, France will make 600,000 euros available for this purpose. (AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
