Mélenchon Agrees With Le Pen: France Not Responsible For Holocaust
Jean Luc Mélenchon Image by Getty Images
Leftist French leader Jean Luc Mélenchon has said France bears no responsibility for the actions of the pro-Nazi Vichy government during the Holocaust, according to Haaretz — echoing the remarks of far right wing leader Marine le Pen.
Mélenchon rejected President Emmanuel Macron’s assertion on Sunday that France bore responsibility for helping the Nazis roundi up and deporting Jews.
“Never, at any moment,” he wrote, “did the French choose murder and anti-Semitic criminality. Those who were not Jewish were not all, and as French people, guilty of the crime that was carried out at the time!” The legitimate French government, Mélenchon said, was in exile in London.
His comments came on the anniversary of Vel d’Hiv, which refers to the Velodrome d’Hiver stadium where around 13,000 Jews were imprisoned before being turned over to the Nazis.
Mélenchon also took issue with Macron’s decision to explicitly link anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, which is a crime in France.
Contact Jesse Bernstein at [email protected] or on Twitter @__jbernstein
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
