Jordan Bardella Links Antisemitism to Migration During Historic Israel Visit

The Rassemblement National leader, officially invited by the Israeli government, emphasizes shared threats from Islamist terrorism while facing criticism over his party's controversial past.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France's Rassemblement National, is the first party head to be officially invited by the Israeli government, marking a symbolic moment in the party's rebranding efforts.
Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, Bardella linked the rise of antisemitism to migration and Islamist ideology, framing these as shared threats to France and Israel.
During his visit, Bardella met with Israeli officials, including Knesset President Amir Ohana, and visited Yad Vashem and sites tied to the 2023 Hamas attack in Re’im.
The visit has reignited debates about the Rassemblement National's historical ties to antisemitism under its founder, Jean-Marie Le Pen, despite Bardella's claims of the party's transformation.
Prominent figures, including Ephraïm Mirvis and Jonathan Greenblatt, declined to attend the conference, criticizing the participation of far-right representatives like Bardella.