Following the parliamentary elections in France, Jewish communities are expressing concerns about their future in the country. The victory of the far-left’s New Popular Front alliance has sparked fears of rising antisemitism, with some Jews feeling they may have “no future” in France.
Rabbi Moshe Sebbag of the Synagogue de la Victoire has advised young Jews to leave France and consider moving to Israel. “It seems France has no future for Jews,” he said. “But people my age, who are 50, 60, we’ve made our life here and we fear for the future of our children.”
French-Jewish philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy has described the rise of the far-left as a sign of the “new antisemitism.” He has accused the left of being kidnapped by divisive language and hate, and has warned of the dangers of this trend.
The leader of the France Unbowed party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, has previously made controversial statements about French Jews, calling them an “arrogant minority” and celebrating anti-Israel protesters who stormed a synagogue. Melenchon’s victory has been met with concern from Jewish leaders, who fear his influence will lead to more instability and unrest for Jewish communities.
Karys Rhea, a producer with the Epoch Times, has predicted that Melenchon’s rise will lead to a disaster for Jews, as he will demand concessions from President Emmanuel Macron and potentially destabilize the country. She believes that Jews will leave France in large numbers in response to this development.
The rise of antisemitism in France is not a new phenomenon, and has been exacerbated by recent events, including the October 7 attack in Israel and the gang rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in Courbevoie.
