Jordan Bardella, the National Rally leader, is set to visit Israel, marking a significant shift for France's far-right party as it attempts to redefine its image in light of its history with antisemitism.
National Rally's Jordan Bardella Makes Historic Visit to Israel Amid Party Transformation
National Rally's Jordan Bardella Makes Historic Visit to Israel Amid Party Transformation
As the National Rally distances itself from its antisemitic roots, Bardella's trip highlights a new alliance with Israel against Islamist extremism.
March 13, 2025, 11:10 a.m. ET
Jordan Bardella, the young president of France’s far-right National Rally, is preparing for a momentous visit to Israel later this month, symbolizing a shift in his party's relationship with the Jewish community. Bardella intends to attend a conference in Jerusalem focused on antisemitism and witness the aftermath of Hamas's attacks on Israel.
"Antisemitism is a poison," Bardella articulated in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, affirming the party's commitment to combating hatred against Jews. This visit bears historical significance, as no leader from the far-right party, including Marine Le Pen, has previously visited Israel officially.
The party's enhanced stance against what it describes as "Islamist ideology" has fostered a newfound camaraderie with Israel, particularly in its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. Concurrently, the National Rally's firm anti-immigrant sentiment—particularly toward Muslims—has paradoxically garnered some backing from French Jews seeking security against antisemitism.
Nevertheless, the relationship remains complex. Some prominent French Jews like intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy have publicly denounced Bardella's leadership and have withdrawn from the Jerusalem conference, emphasizing the discomfort caused by the party's legacy. Lévy's decision to disengage from the event underscores the remnants of distrust stemming from the party's history. Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party's founder, notoriously downplayed the Holocaust and its implications, casting a long shadow on the movement’s credibility within the Jewish community.
As Bardella embarks on this pivotal journey, the overall reaction reflects the deep-seated tensions and the ongoing reconciliation attempts between a party traditionally viewed with suspicion and a Jewish community eager for allies against intolerance.
Jordan Bardella, the young president of France’s far-right National Rally, is preparing for a momentous visit to Israel later this month, symbolizing a shift in his party's relationship with the Jewish community. Bardella intends to attend a conference in Jerusalem focused on antisemitism and witness the aftermath of Hamas's attacks on Israel.
"Antisemitism is a poison," Bardella articulated in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, affirming the party's commitment to combating hatred against Jews. This visit bears historical significance, as no leader from the far-right party, including Marine Le Pen, has previously visited Israel officially.
The party's enhanced stance against what it describes as "Islamist ideology" has fostered a newfound camaraderie with Israel, particularly in its conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah. Concurrently, the National Rally's firm anti-immigrant sentiment—particularly toward Muslims—has paradoxically garnered some backing from French Jews seeking security against antisemitism.
Nevertheless, the relationship remains complex. Some prominent French Jews like intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy have publicly denounced Bardella's leadership and have withdrawn from the Jerusalem conference, emphasizing the discomfort caused by the party's legacy. Lévy's decision to disengage from the event underscores the remnants of distrust stemming from the party's history. Jean-Marie Le Pen, the party's founder, notoriously downplayed the Holocaust and its implications, casting a long shadow on the movement’s credibility within the Jewish community.
As Bardella embarks on this pivotal journey, the overall reaction reflects the deep-seated tensions and the ongoing reconciliation attempts between a party traditionally viewed with suspicion and a Jewish community eager for allies against intolerance.
