Israel Palestinians
An Israeli official in Netanyahu’s far-right ministry has praised the political victory of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose National Rally party emerged as the clear winner in last week’s French legislative elections.
Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli stated that Le Pen’s hypothetical presidential candidature, which is not presently being contemplated, would be beneficial to Israel due to her strong stance against ”anti-Semitism.
“It would be great for Israel if Marine Le Pen became president of France. In my opinion, it would be good for the State of Israel,” Chikli gushed. Chikli may, however, mean something quite different from what he actually said. His fulsome praise of Le Pen may not be because of her supposed pro-Zionist stance, as much as for her anti-Muslim attitude–which he, of course, shares.
The National Rally gained one-third of the vote in last week’s elections, making it the party with the most legislative representation in France.
Its power could yet be diminished if other parties, ranging from the center-right to the far left, decide to band together against their far-right opponents in the second round voting on July 7.
This might allow them to choose a candidate to become France’s next prime minister, succeeding Gabriel Attal, who is of Tunisian Jewish heritage. A lot may still happen between now and Sunday, and it’s unclear what kind of administration will emerge. Le Pen’s party may be able to create a coalition, but this is far from certain.
France’s National Rally, like many other European far-right and populist groups, is staunchly pro-Israel. It, like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has an obsession with Muslims and is vehemently opposed to immigrants from Muslim-majority nations. It accuses a small minority of being responsible for France’s alleged ‘Islamisation’.
Jean-Marie Le Pen’s party has long been viewed as a serious threat by French Jews and Israel due to its anti-Semitic rhetoric and Holocaust denial.
The younger Le Pen expelled her father, as well as other anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers, from the party, working for years to disassociate it from its shady past in order to gain favour with Jewish groups and Israel.
This was done to give the hitherto untouchable party some legitimacy. If Le Pen’s party is successful in forming a government, Israel’s most radical administration, led by Netanyahu, will find a soulmate to work with.
