Reprieve for genocide opponents as France withdraws ‘antisemitism’ law

Opponents of Israel’s genocide, apartheid, and land-theft have won a reprieve after the government of France withdrew its proposed ‘Yadan’ law that would have outlawed criticism of Israel. Left and human rights groups had worked and protested for weeks to block the law, which was expected to pass if it reached the French parliament.

However, the win is only temporary. The French government has said it will bring a revised bill by late June that will “fully incorporate” the now-withdrawn version.

France faces critical juncture

Opponents believe that the bill itself is antisemitic, because it equates Jewishness with support for a colony that has committed genocide in Gaza and is continually attacking and stealing land from both the Palestinian people and its neighbours.

The so-called ‘Yadan bill’, which was put forward in late 2024 by French MP Caroline Yadan and backed by France’s Israel lobby, targets what it calls ‘new forms of antisemitism’. However, while clearly worded to try to silence critics, there is no doubt that it intends to classify anti-Zionism and opposition to Israel’s crimes as antisemitism. French PM Sebastien Lecornu has shamelessly described anti-Zionism as the “mask of antisemitism”.

Israel’s supporters are desperate to outlaw resistance to Zionism and its genocidal agenda. UK freedoms of speech and protest are similarly under attack by Keir Starmer and the UK Israel lobby. Under Macron’s illegitimate government, France has assisted Israel in its land-grabs.

Featured image via the Canary