While they are all horrified by the increase in anti-Semitic acts in France since October 7, these three readers did not all choose to participate in the march against anti-Semitism on Sunday, November 12. They tell us why.
“For me it was a very difficult choice”, whispers Léa*. Of Jewish origin, this thirty-year-old Parisian did not take to the streets on Sunday 12 November.
That day, at the call of the presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate, Yaël Braun-Pivet and Gérard Larcher, a large trans-party march was organized in Paris to say no to anti-Semitism. Hundreds of other mobilizations – 110 to be exact – were registered outside the capital to support the Jewish community, victim of violence and threats after the Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 October. Over the space of three weeks, more than 1,500 anti-Semitic acts were recorded in France, the Interior Ministry revealed this week.
Léa feels this climate causes anxiety in an entire community. From a “very large Jewish family”She “strongly fears the increase in anti-Semitism as well as the increase in xenophobia in general”. However, this Sunday it was impossible for him to march alongside the 105,000 people on the streets of Paris.
The unbearable presence of the Navy among the demonstrators
He justifies his choice with presence “almost co-organizer of Marine Le Pen and Gérald Darmanin” in the ranks. Impossible for her to parade among those who “they embody anti-Semitism and xenophobia” and who today try to redeem their image for electoral purposes:
«For me it’s not like demonstrating with people in the march who might say things I don’t agree with. There it is precisely a political presence, embodied and strong, that leads the procession. »
For her part, Juliette participated in the march on Sunday, out of personal conviction.
“It is a struggle that has always motivated me and is even more so since I am the mother of two children whose father is of the Jewish faith. It is important, in my eyes, that they can then live their beliefs in the most peaceful way possible and that this is, more generally, possible for all people, regardless of their confession and beliefs in France. This is part of the fundamental values of the Republic and it is essential, sometimes, to understand it. »
The young woman claims that she was not fooled “political recovery” and of “hypocrisy” of the far right. “But that didn’t discourage me. »
“It’s not my political side at all and, from my point of view, their presence is more about electoral manipulation than real concern for the issues of this march. I at least hope that their presence will have a positive impact on their electorate regarding the issue of anti-Semitism. »
Nora* gave up on showing her support for the Jewish community on Sunday when she learned of the presence of elected officials from the National Rally and Reconquest! among the protesters.
“I was afraid of the people I might meet and the presence of the Navy made me feel unsafe. »
As a racialized person, explain that this far-right party “really scary”.
Not being able to march against anti-Semitism was also a complicated choice for her.
“Being a viscerally ‘typical Arab’ ally against anti-Semitism and being deprived of this demonstration made me feel guilty, like I was holding onto this preconceived idea that Arabs are anti-Jewish. »
Refusing to choose a side
Guilt is also a familiar feeling for Léa, exacerbated by her family.
“I am totally divided between my left-wing political positions, which lead me to speak out against all xenophobia, against all forms of oppression, and the need today, given the current tensions, of having to choose a side, one fight and one alone to the detriment of others. As if these struggles were not a common struggle. »
He particularly regrets “family pressure” which he has been hearing for almost a month. “My family knows my political positions and suspects that I dissociate myself from the Jewish cause and the fight against anti-Semitism. I am asked to commit to only one field”he complains.
Besides, she says to herself «very touched by the initiatives (too little publicity) of some demonstrators or political groups who have decided to demonstrate against anti-Semitism but clearly distinguishing themselves from the RN and from at least ambivalent political figures like Darmanin».
Whether they marched on Sunday or not, our three readers agree on one point: today it is important to show solidarity with all discriminated against communities, be they Jewish or Muslim. Because all of them are targets of violence and threats, further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza today.
“The ideal would have been to organize a large anti-racist demonstration, more universal, to bring people together more widely, although it seems to me that the issue of fighting anti-Semitism is completely separate because it is terribly anchored in the French mentality, sometimes through jokes that seem completely harmless, but are full of meaning,” Juliette believes.
“I wish one day we could consider a demonstration to fight against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of xenophobia, but that day has not come”Léa notes sadly.
Nora judges him “It is possible to gather widely, but we must ensure that no discrimination is ‘invisibilised’ with the participation of different groups. I would like to see a convergence of struggles, including discrimination against queer and disabled people.”.
He also thinks highly of the young woman, who on November 4 took part in a demonstration for the ceasefire in Palestine “comforting” the presence of demonstrators from all walks of life.
“Seeing non-‘Arab’ people did me a lot of good and made me understand that it was important to take to the streets for causes that didn’t directly concern me. The voice of allies gives strength! I want to give back to the struggles that don’t concern me directly, but that are close to my heart. »
* Names have been changed.
To testify about Madmoizelle, write to us at:
[email protected]
We can’t wait to read you!
What if the movie you were going to see tonight was a dump? Each week, Kalindi Ramphul gives you her opinion on which movie to see (or not) on the show The Only Opinion That Matters.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
