PARIS, France โ An undercover investigation by French journalist Nora Bussigny has brought renewed scrutiny to Franceโs anti-Israel movement, documenting what she describes as a growing convergence between far-left activists, Islamist groups, and organizations operating under progressive political banners.
In her newly published book, Les Nouveaux Antisรฉmites, Bussigny reports that movements which often clash on social, cultural, and ideological grounds are increasingly united by opposition to Israel and hostility toward Jews. The book is based on months of undercover work in which Bussigny infiltrated activist networks, attended closed meetings, and observed demonstrations across France.
According to Bussigny, the unifying factor across these movements is not a shared political program, but a shared worldview in which antisemitism is reframed as opposition to Zionism.
โWhat connects these groups is not agreement on economics, feminism, or social values,โ Bussigny writes. โIt is the centrality of Israel as an enemy and Jews as symbols of everything they oppose.โ
The investigation documents repeated instances of open praise for Hamas, including public references to the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of hundreds of civilians. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by France, Canada, the United States, and the European Union.
Bussigny describes how chants and slogans once considered fringe are now normalized at demonstrations organized by coalitions that include far-left political groups, Islamist associations, and activist organizations identifying as feminist, LGBT, or environmentalist. According to her findings, these alliances often present themselves as human rights coalitions, while tolerating or promoting rhetoric that denies Israelโs right to exist.
The book also details how antisemitism is frequently masked through language that focuses exclusively on Israel. Bussigny argues that this rhetorical shift allows activists to claim moral legitimacy while advancing narratives historically associated with hatred of Jews.
โAntisemitism has changed its vocabulary, not its substance,โ Bussigny said in an interview with French media following the bookโs release. โIt is no longer expressed primarily through racial language, but through the systematic demonization of the Jewish state.โ
French authorities have acknowledged rising antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. According to Franceโs Interior Ministry, antisemitic acts increased sharply in late 2023, including physical assaults, vandalism, and threats against Jewish institutions. Jewish community organizations have repeatedly warned that anti-Israel demonstrations often create environments in which antisemitism flourishes.
Bussignyโs investigation also raises concerns about organizations with alleged ties to extremist groups operating openly in France. She documents cases in which groups linked to terrorist movements were able to organize events, access public spaces, and collaborate with mainstream political actors without significant scrutiny.
Security analysts cited by Bussigny argue that this phenomenon reflects a broader challenge facing European democracies, where freedom of expression protections are sometimes exploited by actors seeking to legitimize extremist ideology. French officials have previously dissolved several organizations accused of promoting hatred or supporting terrorism, though critics say enforcement remains inconsistent.
For Jewish and pro-Israel observers, the book reinforces long-held concerns about the ideological direction of parts of Europeโs progressive movements. Many argue that hostility toward Israel has become a litmus test for inclusion within activist spaces, effectively marginalizing Jews who support Israelโs right to exist.
The book has sparked debate within French media and political circles. Supporters praise Bussigny for documenting realities often ignored or minimized in public discourse. Critics have questioned her conclusions, though few have directly challenged the evidence presented in her reporting.
For Bussigny, the implications extend beyond France.
โThis is not just a French issue,โ she said. โIt is a warning about how antisemitism adapts, how it builds alliances, and how it embeds itself in movements that claim to stand for justice.โ
As France continues to grapple with rising antisemitism and political radicalization, Les Nouveaux Antisรฉmites is likely to intensify discussions about the boundaries between political activism, hate speech, and public safety. For Jewish communities and their allies, the book underscores concerns that opposition to Israel is increasingly serving as a vehicle for older forms of hatred, repackaged for a new generation.
