One of the great dangers of information overload is the degree to which it can render us unable to see the forest through the trees. Things are happening everywhere at a breakneck pace, and it is hard to keep up.
A perfect example of this phenomenon is the lack of attention many are paying to the plight of the Jews in France. The following is an update on the situation from Ruth Ouazana Barer, a member of our advisory board who lives in Lyon.
Shabbat shalom and may this be the week the hostages return home,
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By Ruth Ouazana Barer
A dear friend of mine used to say the Jews are like the seismometers of the world and, since October 7th, the situation is complicated for all of us regardless of where we live. And this is especially true for those of us who live in France.
In the recent French election, the New Popular Front, a left-wing alliance, won 182 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. Though the NPF failed to gain enough seats for a majority, it did prevent both President Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party from taking control.
The NPF is dangerous for the Jews. Many party members describe Israel as a genocidal and apartheid state, chant “from the River to the Sea”, and put Palestinian interests before those of France. Its leader is Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a friend of Jeremy Corbin, and someone who is known for promoting very antizionist positions, leading to antisemitism as we know, and as they try to hide.
Not surprisingly, the far-right National Rally party is also very dangerous for the Jews. They talk about stopping the practice of shechita, Kosher animal slaughter, potentially banning circumcision, and they still have – hidden among the closest advisors of Marine Le Pen – some thinkers whose views are reminiscent of those promoted by the Nazis.
And while President Macron’s centrist Ensemble alliance is not as strong as it used to be before the election, at least it still exists. Clearly, his attempt to clarify the situation in France by dissolving the French Parliament and organising new elections was a big “loupé”! (failure).
With the National Assembly divided between these 3 main groups, it is unclear how it will govern. What we do know, however, is that the situation is very dangerous for our democracy and for French Jews. Requests for aliyah have been rising as many people are deciding where to go next, if not Israel, if the moderates don’t prevail. The only solution for the moment, for those who want to stay in France, is having the centrist democratic parties overcome the others.
With so much I deleted despair uncertainty in the air, I hope you will join me in reciting the Prayer for the French Republic, which French Jewry have repeated every Shabbat since the days of Napoleon Bonaparte: “May the rays of Your light enlighten those who preside over the destiny of the State and ensure order and justice reign.”
Shabbat shalom,
Ruth
