France’s National Assembly Law Committee has adopted a bill proposed by Renaissance MP Caroline Yadan aimed at strengthening the fight against modern forms of antisemitism. The bill is intended as a legal response to the growing expressions of anti-Jewish hatred in France, particularly when disguised as anti-Israel sentiment.
Speaking on i24NEWS, Yadan described the proposal as “firm but balanced,” structured around three core pillars:
- Tougher Measures Against Apology for Terrorism: The bill expands the current offense to include implicit forms of glorifying terrorism, as well as praise for individuals who commit such acts, building on existing case law.
- Criminalizing Calls for the Destruction of Recognized States: This new offense would punish calls for the destruction of any state recognized by France, based on the principle of the right of peoples to self-determination. While Israel is not explicitly named, Yadan acknowledges the measure targets widespread rhetoric that, she argues, contributes to the endangerment of Jews today.
- Strengthening Protections Against Holocaust Denial and Distortion: The bill bolsters the Gayssot Law by reinforcing legal tools to prevent the trivialization, relativization, or political misuse of the Shoah.
In response to concerns over freedom of expression, particularly from opposition parties, Yadan stated that she had sought input from the Council of State and committed to fully adhering to its recommendations. The bill also draws from the IHRA definition of antisemitism and previous parliamentary work on hate speech.
“We can either stay in denial or face reality,” Yadan declared, pointing to the rise in antisemitic violence often justified under the guise of anti-Zionism. Following its approval in committee, the bill will next be debated in a public session of the National Assembly.
