Radical anti-Zionists who support "the Palestinians' armed
struggle no matter what form it takes" and agitate among
leftists against the existence of the State of Israel "belong
to a modern form of antisemitism," says a report on
antisemitism released by the French Ministry of the Interior.
The author of the report, writer Jean Ropan, raised the wrath
of anti-Zionist organizations by recommending punishment be
meted out for anti-Zionist incitement.
Ropan describes them as organizations that make use of issues
popular among youth--anti-racism, anti-globalization and
ecology--to attack Jews, justify terrorism and encourage
antisemitic attacks. The report holds them responsible for
attacks in France, a claim the Jewish community has been
making for years.
Interior Minister Villepin praised the report, saying its
recommendations would be implemented. Ropan, a former vice
president of Doctors Without Borders, says verbal attacks and
assaults by Arab immigrants and native Frenchmen could
transform from street violence to terrorist activity through
the influence of the antisemites and the Islamists.
The report describes incitement in French schools that begins
as Holocaust denial that drives students to identify with the
Palestinian struggle to the point of converting to Islam and
enlisting to take part in attacks against Jews. Ropan notes
how eco-anarchist farmers went from violent activity in
France to the support of Fatah activity in Israel.
He indirectly blames the French media for fostering
antisemitism through emotive, one-sided reporting on the
Middle East conflict. In covering the government report
Reuters failed to mention that it labeled as antisemitic the
anti-Zionists from the radical left, anti-globalization
organizations and anti-racism organizations that attack
Israel.
The journalists themselves rebelled against the antisemitic
management at the official state radio station, Radio France.
Following pressure from journalists, the government was
forced to dismiss the director of France's international
radio, Alain Manrag, who described Israel as a "racist
country" and made deprecatory, antisemitic remarks.
During his years as the Beirut correspondent for French radio
Manrag was influenced by Arab antisemitism, which he tried to
disseminate over the radio waves. Radio France itself
published his antisemitic book, Sharon's Wall, which
strayed even beyond standards accepted at French radio.
When press associations demanded that the Foreign Ministry
fire Manrag, the station management made no response until
the journalists threatened to strike. According to
Liberation, Manrag blamed "a handful of communal Jews
who do not tolerate criticism of Israel." Manrag-style
antisemitism penetrates all parts of France. Ropan said
calling Israelis Nazis--as Manrag did--is antisemitism.
The far right also joins the ranks of Palestinian supporters,
using Holocaust denial as its strategy. Bruno Golnish, for
example, deputy director of the International Front,
rationalized Holocaust denial based on the writings of Jewish
philosopher Jacques Derrida.
