The decision, originating from President Macron's early 2020 address in Les Mureaux, Yvelines, was part of a broader strategy to combat "separatism."
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Netanyahu regarding issues within Israel's borders and in the Middle East at large.
The prize is awarded to personalities who have shown exemplary support for European Jewry, defended their religious rights, and combatted antisemitism.
Movers and shakers in Israeli society.
Everything happens as if targeting a part of the population, the least liked, the easiest to attack – “Come on, it’s only the Jews” – will have no impact on the character of the nation.
"We do not want people who are heirs to a party founded by former collaborators [with Nazi Germany] to be present,” said the leader of a major Jewish umbrella organization in France.
French Jews, who have been suffering from a huge wave of antisemitism, added: "The CRIF would like to remind everyone of Hamas's responsibility for the deaths of Palestinian civilians."
The French president said that a ceasefire would benefit Israel, but added that Paris recognizes its right to defend itself and condemns the terrorism of Hamas.
"Antisemitism is resurfacing, in words, on the walls," Macron said in a speech. "The Republic does not and will not compromise, and we will be ruthless against those who carry that hatred."
Movers and Shakers in Israeli society.
JPOST Digital Library
