In brief
Jordan Bardella, the youthful leader of France's far-right National Rally, is set to make a landmark visit to Israel, representing a significant pivot for the party historically linked to antisemitism. This month, Bardella will attend a conference in Jerusalem focusing on combating antisemitism while declaring, "Our engagement in this combat is absolute." His visit underscores the party’s current position against Islamic extremism and its support for Israel, counterbalanced by its strict anti-immigration stance.
Previously, no leader from the party, including long-time figure Marine Le Pen, has made an official trip to Israel. Bardella’s rhetoric has increasingly positioned the National Rally as a staunch ally of Israel, particularly in light of the actions taken against Hamas and Hezbollah. Nonetheless, the party still faces skepticism from many French Jews, who remember its controversial past.Prominent intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy announced he would withdraw from the Jerusalem conference upon learning of Bardella's participation, exemplifying the complex relationship the party holds with the Jewish community—a community divided in its response to the National Rally’s recent overtures. Historically, the party has deep roots in antisemitic sentiments, with founder Jean-Marie Le Pen notoriously downplaying the significance of the Holocaust. Bardella’s visit aims to signal a new direction while grappling with the legacies of the party’s past.
