(National-UAE) Senior French officials have rallied behind Karim Bouamrane, a prominent mayor of Moroccan origin, in response to remarks widely viewed as racist by a researcher who said he is “Muslim in appearance” and suggested his popularity comes from his refusal to comment on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
This highlights deep divisions within France’s left-wing parties, with some seeking to capitalise on the Gaza war to boost support among Muslim voters while others, including the socialist mayor, Mr Bouamrane, have adopted a more cautious stance.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is an explosive topic in France, which hosts the biggest Muslim and Jewish populations in Europe. The October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel and the ensuing Israeli military offensive against Gaza, and more recently Lebanon, have caused an increase in racist attacks.
