In brief
As Jordan Bardella prepares for an official visit to Israel, the National Rally party aims to reshape its narrative, moving from a history marred by antisemitism to a pro-Israel stance amid an ongoing conflict with Islamist groups.
In a historic move, Jordan Bardella, president of France's far-right National Rally party, is set to visit Israel this March, marking the first official visit by a leader of the party known for its controversial past regarding antisemitism. Bardella's trip comes at a significant time, as he seeks to demonstrate a clear departure from previous ideologies while asserting the party's current focus on combating what they label as "Islamist ideology.""Antisemitism is a poison," Bardella stated in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, confirming his commitment to combatting this issue. His itinerary includes attending a conference in Jerusalem centered around antisemitism and visiting sites affected by recent attacks from Hamas on October 7, 2023. This shift in the party's positioning reflects a broader strategic move towards aligning more closely with Jewish communities in France, particularly amid rising tensions surrounding immigration and radical movements.Despite the party's attempts at rebranding, many within the Jewish community remain skeptical. Notably, influential intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy, known for his pro-Israel sentiments, has withdrawn from the conference in response to Bardella's participation, indicating the complexities of such political maneuvers. The historical roots of the National Rally's ideology can be traced back to its founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, who notoriously downplayed the significance of the Holocaust. This past looms large over Bardella's current efforts to distance the party from its extremist legacy while simultaneously courting Jewish support through a staunch, anti-Islamist rhetoric. As Bardella prepares for his landmark visit, it remains to be seen how his actions will be perceived in both France and Israel, and whether they can effectively reshape the party’s image amidst ongoing concerns of their divisive policies.
