When a pro-Israel bill introduced in parliament challenges freedom of expression

The title is in keeping with the current atmosphere, but if it were adopted by the assembly and not rejected by the Constitutional Council, it would challenge the constitution and the foundations of our republic.

Under the title “Proposed law to combat renewed forms of anti-Semitism, No. 575, tabled on Tuesday, November 19, 2024,” it will soon be voted on, having been signed by around 100 members of parliament. In summary, it proposes that any condemnation of the State of Israel and its genocidal policy be considered an anti-Semitic act and therefore punishable by heavy penalties, including imprisonment. “Art. 437-1. – Directly or indirectly inciting the destruction or denial of a state, or publicly advocating its destruction or denial, is punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of €75,000.” Basically, we can protest against genocide in Sudan and massacres happening all over the world, but not in Israel—Palestinians must be massacred in silence. Freedom of expression goes out the window. And what about the many books that recount these massacres? Are we going to burn them in a grand auto-da-fé? That would be impressive and would provide some heat, even if, since Hitler, Stalin, and company, it lacks a bit of innovation. I have always said that Israel would be the cornerstone of attacks on freedom of expression and the resurgence of the far right. The facts prove me right sooner than expected.

That said, I hope that this will be rejected in plenary session and, above all, sanctioned by the Constitutional Council, as it is incompatible with Article 4 of the 1958 Constitution

“The law guarantees the pluralistic expression of opinions and the equitable participation of political parties and groups in the democratic life of the Nation”

and that of the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen – Article 4

“The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man.”

However, this is conditional on compliance with the laws in force, so might pass. In Great Britain, a similar law has been used to prosecute, fine, and even imprison hundreds of people, including a blind man who was walking around with a “Free Palestine” sign. We have every right to ask ourselves whether we still live in a democracy!

Let’s take a look at who is proposing this law: it’s fascinating. Caroline Yadan is a right-wing politician, then a member of Renaissance, then an independent following our President’s recognition of Palestine, and soon to be a member of the National Rally? In the past, she introduced a bill requiring people who receive French citizenship to “recognize the state of Israel.” Yes, yes, we are not dreaming! A Malian or Syrian who obtains French citizenship because they have proven that they cannot return to their country must recognize the state of Israel…. You had to think of that. In short, this representative of the French in Israel takes her role very seriously, going even beyond the demands of Netanyahu’s fascist government—be careful, if this law were passed, I would be convicted in court for anti-Semitic insults! She is in fact more of a Knesset representative than a French Parliament representative.

And the damage begins

In Paris, a feminist and lesbian bookstore was raided for a children’s book accused of challenging the existence of Israel: The Ministry of the Interior reported to the courts the sale in this store of a book on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, denouncing its “strong historical and ideological bias.” The book in question is entitled “From the River to the Sea,” a phrase interpreted by some as a desire to eradicate the Jewish state, and by others as pacifist support for the Palestinian cause. So, we can wish for the disappearance of the murderous regime in Iran but not in Israel, and the Palestinians become a negligible entity. It just goes to show that we can stand by impassively and watch the massacres in Gaza and the West Bank by a regime that wants the entire territory of former Palestine to be Arabenfrei, as Hitler and his henchmen would say, but soon we will no longer have the right to say so.

An interesting observation: who are the signatories? Well, as expected, quite a few right-wing, centrist, and National Rally (RN) lawmakers. But there are also the big “leftists” of the Socialist Party—Hollande, Cazeneuve, and Guedj. This shows that this issue is a reliable marker of separation between the right and the left. There’s an Argentine proverb, I think (at least, it was told to me by an Argentine colleague): “Socialists are like radishes: red on the outside, white on the inside, but always next to the butter.” Fortunately, Faure and the majority of the PS are saving their honor by not signing this rag. Let’s hope that the deputies don’t make fools of themselves by voting for a law that is tailor-made to “defend Jews” in the version promoted by Israel and its spokespeople in France (BHL, Aram, the CRIF, Einthoven, Fourest, etc.) and the fanatics of the Jewish far right, who are few in number but very active, rather than simply the right to express an opinion without being labeled a terrorist (an amalgam included in the proposed law).

Racism is not important, but anti-Semitism and its Israel-centric vision are. All of this fits in well with the current times, those of dictators and restrictions on our freedoms. I can’t wait for this period to end. It will be funny to see these experts, who are so talented in this field, change their tune. I will conclude by reminding you—perhaps for the last time—that the genocide in Gaza is the most serious of this century, accompanied by complete urbicide, tens of thousands of children and babies killed, and more journalists and health professionals killed or imprisoned and tortured than in all previous wars. All this to realize the dream of Greater Israel—from the river to the sea—supported by virtually all governments for 80 years and the Naqba, with the unconditional support of Trump and his ilk, whose appetite, we realize, is infinite. Their project for a Riviera for the rich on the fine sand of Gaza is underway, with prefabricated buildings to house Palestinians to clean the tourists’ rooms.

https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/textes/l17b0575_proposition-loi#

Photo : Tingey Injury Law Firm – Unsplash

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