Paris Anti-Islamism Event Highlights Divisions and Controversies in French Politics

A high-profile meeting organized by pro-Israeli lobby Elnet drew 4,000 attendees, sparking criticism over anti-Muslim rhetoric, exclusion of far-right parties, and its alignment with Israel's geopolitical stance.

The event, held on March 26 at the Dôme de Paris, was organized by #AgirEnsemble, linked to the pro-Israeli lobby Elnet, and focused on combating Islamism as a threat to French republican values.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and Minister of Overseas Territories Manuel Valls delivered speeches denouncing Islamism, with Retailleau comparing it to fascism and Valls referencing his leadership during the 2015 terrorist attacks.
Approximately 4,000 attendees, including political, intellectual, and cultural figures, participated, while far-right parties like the Rassemblement National were notably excluded, leading to criticism from their representatives.
The meeting drew backlash from left-leaning media for its anti-Muslim and anti-leftist rhetoric, with accusations of promoting divisive narratives and framing Islamism as a 'civilizational war.'
Discussions also addressed antisemitism and the detention of writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria, further linking domestic and international issues, with a strong emphasis on strengthening ties between France and Israel.