Jordan Bardella faced significant challenges during his two-day visit to Israel, which was arranged by the country’s far-right factions. On the first day, he visited the site of the Hamas terrorist attacks that occurred on October 7, 2023, and had to justify the purpose of his presence in Israel. This visit marked the first time a leader from the former Front National, established 53 years ago by individuals including former collaborators of Nazi Germany, had traveled to the country. It followed closely on the heels of tributes paid to the late founder of the party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who had long been associated with anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial in France. Bardella’s visit was set to continue on Thursday, March 27, with a conference addressing anti-Semitism.
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In recent weeks, Bardella’s invitation, along with those extended to other European far-right representatives, including Marion Maréchal, has sparked considerable controversy among Jewish organizations globally and has drawn the attention of Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Herzog, a member of the Labor Party, canceled a reception that was planned for Wednesday evening. Nevertheless, Bardella received strong backing from Amichai Chikli, the minister of diaspora affairs under Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.
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