More than 200 notable personalities, including French former President François Hollande and several other prominent figures, came together to publish a significant tribune in Le Monde on March 21, 2025, condemning the increasing tendency to use antizionism as a justification for antisemitism. This call to action arose from the collective "Nous vivrons," which was formed in the wake of the unprecedented October 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel. The authors assert that antizionism has become a tool of contemporary ideological conflict, implying that it serves as a mask for deeply rooted antisemitic sentiments.
In the published piece, the signatories argue that the rhetoric surrounding antizionism has changed drastically, often reducing complex historical narratives to simplistic and harmful stereotypes. They emphasize that labeling Zionism as colonialism overlooks centuries of Jewish suffering and persecution, including the horrors of the Holocaust which wiped out six million Jews. By trivializing the concept of Zionism, detractors lose sight of its vital role in providing a homeland and refuge for a historically marginalized group.
The tribune raises alarming statistics reported by the French Ministry of the Interior indicating a concerning rise in antisemitic acts since October 8, 2023. It shows that a third of antisemitic incidents recorded in 2024 were linked to the Palestinian cause. In that same year, a total of 1,570 antisemitic acts were documented, with 518 linked explicitly to the question of Palestine. This worrying trend highlights a potential normalization of hateful rhetoric directed towards Jewish communities.
Among the signatories of this impactful piece are other distinguished figures such as Gabriel Attal, Aurore Bergé, and the philosopher Elisabeth Badinter, who all lend weight to this urgent message. The tribune seeks to clarify the relationship between legitimate criticism of Israeli politics and the unacceptable targeting of Jewish identity through antizionist rhetoric. The collective calls for the Republic to ensure the protection of Jews by formally recognizing antizionism as a modern form of antisemitism within the legal framework of France.
Furthermore, the text states that while criticism of Israeli government actions might be justified, questioning Israel's very right to exist or collectively blaming Jews for its policies does cross a line into antisemitism. The signatories urge for a nuanced understanding, stating, "Criticizing the policies of the Israeli government is legitimate, but undermining the very right to existence of Israel is antisemitism. To become a target is to declare the community guilty for state actions they did not commit and cannot control.
This debate comes against the backdrop of recent protests in France, which have frequently featured slogans such as, "Sionistes, fascistes, c'est vous les terroristes!" ("Zionists, fascists, you are the terrorists!"). This slogan has gained traction in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and exemplifies the problematic conflation of political views with age-old prejudices. In the eyes of the authors, such phrases are a further sign of the troubling trend towards delegitimizing Jewish identity and sowing division.
In response to these developments, the tribune insists that understanding the historical context of Zionism is crucial. Contrary to portraying Zionism as purely colonialist, the signatories advocate for viewing it as a movement rooted in Jewish self-determination and safety. They assert that reducing Rogers' perspective on Zionism to a mere colonial context misses the essence of the struggle for survival and identity faced by the Jewish people for centuries.
As the tribune advises, the core ideals of Zionism revolve around creating a safe haven for Jews, especially in light of continued global antisemitism. The message is clear: to combat a distorted narrative, intellectual and moral clarity is needed, recalling that criticism of Israel must not obscure the ongoing antisemitic prejudice that persists across various contexts.
Following this call to action, the signatories express the importance of collective awareness and responsibility. They contend that society must not allow for the legitimate critique of one country's policies to morph into the delegitimization of an entire people. The authors implore the public and policymakers alike to critically assess the rhetoric used in protests, ensuring it does not echo or revive historical prejudices.
Ultimately, this strong statement seeks to encourage dialogue that acknowledges both the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the historical realities of antisemitism. For the authors, the crucial question remains how society can differentiate between mere criticism of Israeli state actions and harmful rhetoric that veers into bigotry and hatred, calling for a more conscientious approach to such sensitive topics.
