In brief
Jordan Bardella, the young president of France's far-right National Rally, is making his first official visit to Israel, highlighting a potential shift away from the party's history of antisemitism towards stronger ties with the Jewish state, amidst rising Islamist threats.
March 13, 2025 – In a move aimed at reshaping the political narrative, Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally party in France, is set to visit Israel later this month, marking a historic moment for a party that has faced criticism for its past antisemitic rhetoric. Bardella's visit signals an evolving stance from the party, as it positions itself as a staunch ally of Israel in the battle against radical Islamist ideologies.In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Bardella emphasized the fight against antisemitism, referring to it as a "poison." His upcoming attendance at a Jerusalem conference focused on this topic later in March underscores his commitment to this cause. He has expressed a desire to visit areas in Israel that have suffered from Hamas attacks, particularly those events from October 7, 2023.This visit represents a departure from previous party leaders like Marine Le Pen, who have not made official trips to Israel. The National Rally’s current focus on opposing what it calls “Islamist ideology” has led to a burgeoning friendship with Israel and its fight against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Bardella's anti-immigration stance, particularly against Muslims, has paradoxically garnered support from certain segments within the French Jewish community.Despite Bardella's attempts to reshape the party image, many French Jews remain wary. Intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy publicly withdrew from the Jerusalem conference upon learning of Bardella's participation, highlighting ongoing tensions. In the past, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the original National Front party, downplayed the Holocaust, which continues to cast a long shadow over the party's reputation.As Bardella embarks on this unprecedented journey, the implications of his visit will be closely scrutinized by both supporters and critics, amid a backdrop of heightened political sensitivities and the complexities of navigating France's historical relationship with antisemitism.
