First Historic Invitation: French Far-Right Leaders at an International Conference on Anti-Semitism

For the first time, prominent figures of the French far-right have been invited to an event of such international significance, according to information from Le Figaro, confirmed by H24 MEDIA.

Jordan Bardella and Marion Maréchal will travel to Jerusalem on March 26 and 27, 2025, to participate in the International Conference on Combating Anti-Semitism. This marks the first time a National Rally (RN) leader has been invited by the Israeli government. Louis Aliot, mayor of Perpignan and the RN’s first vice-president, has also confirmed his attendance.

A Turning Point for the National Rally

As president of the National Rally and leader of the ‘Patriots for Europe’ group in the European Parliament, Jordan Bardella is expected to speak at the conference about the rise of anti-Semitism in France since October 7, 2023. His invitation reportedly follows a meeting with Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington in February.

A Shift in Relations with Israel

This invitation highlights a shift in public perception of the RN on issues of anti-Semitism. The party has long been associated with controversial positions, particularly under its founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was convicted multiple times for hate speech. However, recent events signal a change: the RN joined the march against anti-Semitism in November 2023, and 37 RN deputies are now members of the France-Israel Friendship Group in Parliament, out of a total of 103 members.

Despite this evolution, the RN’s history remains a point of contention. In a November 2023 interview, Jordan Bardella claimed not to believe that Jean-Marie Le Pen was anti-Semitic, a statement that drew criticism given Le Pen’s past convictions.

The conference in Jerusalem may represent an opportunity for the RN to continue reshaping its image internationally, as it seeks to distance itself from past controversies and position itself as a defender of Jewish communities, especially in the wake of recent attacks against Israel. This high-profile event could mark a significant moment in the RN’s ongoing political transformation.