The victory of France's left-wing New Popular Front – a coalition of socialist and left-wing parties, including the far-Left France Unbowed – in the second round of the National Assembly elections on Sunday has sparked alarm among prominent French Jewish figures. Critics, led by renowned philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, warn of potential implications for antisemitism in the country and call for vigilance against the alliance's leadership.
Video: Far-left leader Melenchon speaks after election results are announced / Credit: Reuters
Philosopher and public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy took to X, stating, "The Left has once again fallen prey to the infamous Mélenchon. Surrounding him now are some of the new faces of antisemitism. A chilling moment indeed. Our sole mission: to persist in the struggle against these individuals."
Pour un démocrate, il y a, désormais, un ennemi principal: #LFI. Prier pour que #Macron n'appelle en aucun cas #Mélenchon. Adjurer les sociaux-démocrates de rompre leur pacte avec cet #antisémite affiché. Dénoncer sans relâche ces prétendus insoumis qui font honte à la République
— Bernard-Henri Lévy (@BHL) July 7, 2024
Approximately 90 minutes later, Lévy added, "For democrats, there's now a primary adversary: France Unbowed (Mélenchon's La France Insoumise party). Let us hope President Emmanuel Macron refrains from reaching out to Mélenchon. We must urge social democrats to sever ties with Mélenchon and ceaselessly denounce the 'Unbowed,' who bring shame upon the Republic."
Mes très chers concitoyens de la 8ème circonscription des Français de l'étranger,
Le second tour dans notre circonscription est crucial, parce que l'heure est grave, votre choix est déterminant.
Dimanche, vous aurez le choix :
Soit celui de poursuivre avec le candidat de… pic.twitter.com/l3ucK9bclR
— Caroline Yadan (@CarolineYADAN) July 5, 2024
French-Jewish journalist Yohann Taieb weighed in, writing, "Mélenchon's victory sends a horrifying message of impunity to all anti-Jewish Islamo-fascists." The election results also impacted Jewish representation in parliament. Meyer Habib, a member of the centrist liberal UDI party and known ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lost his seat.
Stepping into Habib's place is Caroline Yadan, also of Jewish heritage. Yadan, who declared in May, "I am a Jewish Zionist," is considered pro-Israel. She will serve as a member of parliament for Macron's Renaissance party.
