Let’s say it straight away, the pro-Palestinian movement finds no support in the French weeklies. It is often never even named. So, the Express, speak ” anti-Israel activism », under the photo of students from the Sorbonne in Paris, brandishing a banner on which we can read: “ Zionists, outside our universities. » Since October 7, 2023, continues the weekly, “ virulent and disruptive activism is growing, even if it comes from a tiny minority of students “. The load is heavier in pointwhose editorialist Franz-Olivier Giesbert, believes that“It is left-wing fascists who have taken power on both sides of the Atlantic “. And he attacks the students, “ anti-Semites and ignorant ”, which, he says, “ no doubt consider that reading a history book is beyond their strength. Otherwise, they would know that the suicidal policy of Hamas has a lot to do with the current Palestinian tragedy, and that Israel has always been a Jewish land, long before the birth of Mohammed. “. In point again, an article on “ the lost honor of Sciences-Po Paris », whose management agreed to dialogue with the students, “ full of good feelings “, quips the weekly, ” and that we do not hear, of course, demanding the release of the hostages, even less condemning or regretting the pogrom of October 7 “.
In an editorial titled “ The Student Stupid Factory »the editorial director of MarianneNatacha Polony, castigates “ the simplism of young people obsessed with “domination”, to the point of slipping from a legitimate defense of the rights of the Palestinians to a more than doubtful denunciation of a supposed privilege of Israel and, by an even more doubtful slide, a denunciation of the Jews in general. This hasshe says something dismaying and, even more, frightening ». In Le Figaro MagazineGuillaume Roquette, also an editorialist, also attacks Sciences Po, which would be “ infiltrated by Islamists » and he castigates “ a minority of fanaticized pro-Palestinian students ».
Apology for terrorism
For his part, the New Obs has chosen to dialogue with a lawyer on the law of freedoms. Not to talk about the student movement, but about the summons before the police of Mathilde Panot, deputy of La France insoumise, and Rima Hassan, rebellious candidate in the European elections, and also of Palestinian origin. Both are accused of “apology for terrorism”, for comments considered by some to be too lenient towards Hamas. The New Obs therefore interviewed a lawyer, Nicolas Hervieu, who does not comment on the particular case of Mathilde Panot and Rima Hassan, but draws a general line. “ Which raises the question, he said, it is the definition and identification of the words “of apology for terrorism”. It must be assessed and analyzed in each particular case, by examining the words uttered and the context in which they were uttered. The real difficulty, he adds, comes from the fact that this qualification exercise must be combined with the principle of freedom of expression. »
Trivialization
Today in France Sunday publishes the results of a survey on anti-Semitism.“Anti-Semitism: a trivialized hatred »headlines the newspaper, for whom “ the massacres perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 and the response in Gaza, released an anti-Jewish hostility fueled by that against Israel. This scourge is spreading in speeches and actions ». What does the survey published by Today in France Sunday ? “ Qeu 92% of French Jews feel that anti-Semitism is a “widespread phenomenon”, 94% believe that it is “increasing” ». For the newspaper, “ anti-Semitism is becoming commonplace and camouflaged behind hatred of Israel. Goldhe continues, “if it is legitimate to question and criticize Israeli policy, to denounce the tragedy experienced by the civilian population of Gaza, it is unbearable to see anti-Semitism infuse people’s minds. Intellectuals and students of political science should understand that we do not play with fire when the most radicals are rejoicing “.
Finally, thea Tribune Sunday publishes a long interview with Emmanuel Macron, in which the Middle East is notably discussed. The newspaper asked the president, “ if he condemns the blocking of higher education establishments by students defending the Palestinian cause ». Emmanuel Macron responds that he condemns it, “ with the greatest firmness. I am for there to be debateshe said. It is entirely legitimate and even healthy and reassuring that our youth can say that international news affects them and that they debate it, but order an establishment to have this or that policy by force and blocking, preventing other students from accessing an amphitheater on the pretext that they are Jewish, this is not the Republic ». La Tribune Sunday also asked Emmanuel Macron if, from his point of view, “ these students were manipulated ». Response from the president: “ They are politicized. Certain groups such as France Insoumise considered that this was a relevant way of waging the fight. It is simply counterproductive and unacceptable that, in the name of their struggles, they prevent debate », concludes Emmanuel Macron.