EJC to French President Macron: We oppose all contact with European far-right and far-left

(Paris, Tuesday, 21 November 2017) – A delegation from the European Jewish Congress (EJC), led by President Dr. Moshe Kantor, met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The delegation included Francis Kalifat, President of the CRIF, the umbrella organisation of French Jews and the country’s EJC affiliate, and Raya Kalenova, EJC Executive Vice-President and CEO.

During the meeting, the delegation told President Macron that the EJC unanimously opposes any meetings or dealings with far-right and far-left political parties in Europe.

“We must draw strong and unequivocal red lines against all interaction with far-right and far-left European political parties,” Dr. Kantor said. “Some like to use the Jewish community as a fig leaf for their racist and xenophobic agendas or try and make common ground over views on Israel. We emphatically reject all these overtures and stand in complete solidarity with all targets of their intolerance and racism.”

“Yesterday, Jews were the main targets and today it may be some other group. But we are under no illusions whatsoever that antisemitism remains a significant part of their worldview regardless of political tactics or electoral expediency.”

Dr. Kantor also told President Macron that the Jewish community stands shoulder to shoulder with the French Government and people in its battle against extremism and terrorism.

“In recent times, France has been attacked in the most severe way for the values and freedoms it stands for,” Dr. Kantor said. “First Jews were their target, but there is no doubt that they seek to attack all French citizens and the values of the French Republic.”

“The challenges that the French government must overcome are huge and we stand in full solidarity with the French people, willing and able to contribute in any way to our collective fight against terrorism and extremism.”

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Events & Meetings

EJC Director of European Affairs addresses high-level UNESCO “Educating against Antisemitism” conference in Paris

The conference brought together school inspectors, teacher trainers, educators, policymakers, and representatives of Jewish organisations and European institutions to share knowledge and good practices on preventing antisemitism through education.