French anti-Zionist party slogans concern Jews

PARIS (JTA) — French Jews are shocked and outraged by an anti-Zionist party’s campaign slogans for upcoming European Union Parliament elections.

Campaign graphics showing a crossed-out Israeli flag over a map of France “constitute an insult and a threat to oust Jews from their country,” said the National Bureau of Vigilance Against Anti-Semitism, in a May 28 statement. In its statement, the bureau said that it had been flooded with calls from concerned Jews who see the current anti-Zionist party campaign as "propaganda that reminds them of the darkest days of the 20th century” leading up to the Holocaust.

The group also asked the interior minister to block the anti-Zionist party from participating in the June 7 European elections.

The anti-Zionist party, run by the French comedian known as Dieudonné, is campaigning across the Paris region, and notably in immigrant suburbs with large Muslim populations, according to the party’s Web site.

The Web site also outlines the group’s official program, which calls on the party and the parliament to: “Stop Zionist interference in the Nation’s public affairs; denounce politicians who apologize for Zionism; eradicate all forms of Zionism in the Nation; prevent enterprises and institutions from contributing to the war efforts of a foreign nation, which does not respect International Law. Free our state, our government, our institutions from the possession and pressure of Zionist organizations.”

Some French politicians have unsuccessfully attempted to bar the anti-Zionist party from participating in the E.U. elections.

On Sunday a "violent" fight broke out between anti-Zionist campaigners and several still unidentified individuals, in an immigrant district in northeastern Paris, reported the French daily, Le Parisien. Dieudonne was reportedly present at the time of the fight, but did not participate.  Four people were injured, and five detained by police, according to Le Parisien.