 "Leader of France's National Rally (RN) Jordan Bardella visits a memorial for victims and hostages of the 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants, at the Supernova music festival site near kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel on March 26, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
The recent visit of Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, to Israel has received mixed reactions from the Jewish community.
Bardella attended an Israeli government-organised conference on antisemitism, a move that was unimaginable a generation ago given the origins of his party.
The National Rally, previously known as the National Front, was founded in 1972 by Jean-Marie Le Pen, a figure known for his antisemitic and xenophobic rhetoric , along with Nazi collaborators.
His infamous description of the Holocaust’s gas chambers as a mere “detail” of history remains a dark stain on the party’s legacy.
Despite the party’s historical association with antisemitism, Bardella’s presence at the conference was met with applause. His speech condemned antisemitism and anti-Zionism, calling for unity in fighting hatred.
“In the face of the disturbing resurgence of anti-Jewish hatred throughout Europe and the world, and in the face of terrorism that intends to destroy our lives and our values, we French believe more than ever in the imperative need for our nations to unite their voices and join forces in this fight.”
However, the event was overshadowed by a boycott from prominent Jewish figures, including Anti-Defamation League head Jonathan Greenblatt and French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, who withdrew in protest of the inclusion of far-right European politicians.
What Bardella’s presence in Israel means
Bardella’s participation in the conference marks a significant shift in political alignments. Historically, the Jewish community in France and beyond has viewed the far right with deep suspicion due to its associations with antisemitism.
Yet, Bardella and Marine Le Pen, his predecessor, have worked to reshape the National Rally’s image, moving away from overt antisemitic rhetoric and focusing instead on opposition to immigration and Islamism.
This shift coincides with Israel’s evolving political landscape under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His administration has strengthened ties with right-wing movements across Europe, even those with controversial pasts.
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli welcomed Bardella and other right-wing European politicians, defending their presence and accusing critics of spreading falsehoods against Israel’s allies.
Bardella’s speech highlighted his party’s stance against radical Islam and immigration, blaming these factors for rising antisemitism in France. “In the schools of the French republic, in some areas, the teaching of the Holocaust has become literally impossible, such is the extent to which the immigration policy pursued over the last 30 years has upset the great balances of our nation,” he stated.
He also condemned what he called “the deadly honeymoon between Islamism and the extreme left.”
What Bardella and co. hope to achieve from this
For Bardella and the National Rally, gaining legitimacy on the international stage is a strategic move. The party has spent years trying to shed its extremist image, and a public endorsement from Israel helps advance this agenda.
Some political analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s government, which includes figures from Israel’s far right, sees a political advantage in engaging with European right-wing leaders.
French Jews remain divided on the matter. While some have been drawn to the National Rally’s tough stance on Islamism, leading Jewish organisations in France, such as the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions (CRIF), remain wary, reported CNN.
CRIF leader Yonathan Arfi noted that Jewish institutions have historically distrusted the far right, and Bardella’s visit has done little to change that perception.
How National Rally has fared under Bardella
Bardella, born in 1995 , joined RN as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks under the mentorship of Marine Le Pen, who sought to rebrand the party by distancing it from its extremist past.
In 2019, at just 23 years old, he became one of the youngest members of the European Parliament, and in 2022, he took over the party’s leadership from Marine Le Pen, becoming its first non-Le Pen president.
Bardella’s rise to power represents a generational shift in the National Rally’s leadership. Unlike his predecessors, he has no familial connection to the Le Pen name, making him a key figure in the party’s attempt at rebranding.
Under his leadership, the National Rally has gained substantial political influence, expanding its voter base and winning over a younger demographic.
However, Bardella’s past actions indicate that the party’s transformation is not as complete as it claims. Earlier this year, he cancelled an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the United States after former Trump adviser Steve Bannon made a gesture that some likened to a Nazi salute.
Additionally, Bardella’s eulogy for Jean-Marie Le Pen upon his death in January, in which he praised him as a defender of France’s identity and sovereignty, raised eyebrows among those who question whether the party has truly distanced itself from its founder’s legacy.
Why Israel is engaging with Bardella
The Israeli government’s willingness to engage with figures like Bardella underscores a broader shift in the country’s political alliances. Netanyahu’s coalition includes figures such as Itamar Ben Gvir, a politician once deemed too extreme to serve in the Israeli military.
This alignment with far-right European parties suggests a reconfiguration of Israel’s diplomatic strategy, prioritising alliances based on shared opposition to radical Islam and immigration over historical grievances.
Critics argue that this move risks legitimising parties with deeply problematic pasts.
Pierre-Stéphane Fort, who investigated Bardella extensively, suggests that Netanyahu’s government likely waited until Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death to open the door for dialogue with the National Rally, ensuring that the association with its founder would not overshadow diplomatic efforts, reported Courthouse News Service.
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Bardella’s visit to Israel is more than a symbolic gesture; it represents a convergence of political interests that would have been unthinkable in previous decades.
With inputs from agencies