The event “Europe Against Antisemitism,” organised by the magazine La Règle du Jeu, directed by writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, in Paris, brought together French politicians, artists, and intellectuals to stand against antisemitism and extremism ahead of the European elections.
Among the guests were the French President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet; former Prime Minister Manuel Valls; President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher; Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo; and former Minister of Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer.
Other distinguished guests included actors Yvan Attal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Sandrine Kiberlain; the Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko; writers Christine Angot and Julia Kristeva; as well as Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur, Chief Rabbi of France Haïm Korsia, and CRIF President Yonathan Arfi.
EJC Vice-President Raya Kalenova and Director of European Affairs Ariella Woitchik also participated in the event.
Writer and philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy said, “Europe is going through an existential crisis; antisemitism is an existential threat,” estimating that “there should not be, in these last days of campaigning” for the European elections, “any more essential subject.”
French President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet assured that the increase in antisemitism “is in no way residual,” deploring “all those who blow on the embers, designating the Jews as guilty” in the name of the Palestinian cause.
President of the Senate Gérard Larcher also deplored “the new antisemitism” which “does not absolve the oldest” but “feeds on other sources,” notably “a radicalised Islam.” He vilified a “drift” of the far left “blinded by its anti-Zionism.”
Larcher said, “Let us not forget the hostages” held by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, before asserting that the possible recognition of a Palestinian state should “happen at the end of a negotiation process” but “cannot be the result of a terrorist action.”
Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo said, “Yes, Europe is on the edge of a precipice.” She deplored “an antisemitism which is becoming commonplace,” and criticised those who, “on the left, consider that the question of antisemitism is no longer a subject.”
“In this European election, we will not give up,” she added.
