Manuel Bompard – Eye on Islamism

As election wrangling heats up, French pols draw on old foe: headscarves Politicians including presidential contenders are backing expanded controls on hijabs, abayas and burkinis — part of ongoing bids to woo voters concerned about France's tradition of laïcité, or secularism.

June 10, 2025 Lily Radziemski

(Courthouse News) In modern French politics, little is certain. But there is one constant: The debate over the veil — the headscarf that Muslim women might wear in various forms — will always resurface. With the presidential election approaching in 2027 and […]

France to give 24-hour protection to Israeli Olympics team amid Gaza tensions

July 22, 2024 John Irish and Tassilo Hummel

(Reuters) Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics, France’s interior minister said, after a far-left lawmaker said Israel’s delegation was not welcome and called for protests against their participation. The Games begin on Friday amid pronounced security concerns and […]

France bans extreme right and radical Islamic groups ahead of polarizing elections

June 26, 2024 Diane Jeantet and Angela Charlton

(AP) France’s government on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of multiple extreme right and radical Muslim groups, four days before the first round of high-stakes legislative elections that may see a surge in support for political extremes. Snap national elections called by pro-business […]

As France reels from alleged rape of a Jewish girl, antisemitism comes to fore in election campaign

June 20, 2024 Oleg Cetinic and Elise Morton

(AP) The alleged rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in a suspected antisemitic attack has sent shockwaves throughout France and thrust concerns about antisemitism to the forefront of campaigning for the country’s legislative elections. The anti-immigration National Rally party, which has tried […]

How Jewish journalist Ruth Elkrief wound up in the middle of France’s debate over antisemitism and Islamophobia

February 21, 2024 Shira Li Bartov

(JTA) The Jewish French-Moroccan journalist Ruth Elkrief — who has delivered TV news in France for over 30 years — found herself at the center of the story when she was placed under police protection in December. Elkrief received the security detail […]

French Jewish journalist placed under police protection after threats Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused of putting ‘a target’ on the journalist’s back.

December 4, 2023 Nicolas Camut

(Politico) Ruth Elkrief, a French Jewish columnist with TV broadcaster LCI, is being placed under police protection over threats she received after far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized one of her interviews, calling her a “fanatic” and accusing her of showing “contempt for […]