French Jewish community heads request meeting with National Rally's Le Pen

Published: JULY 1, 2024 23:20

Updated: JULY 2, 2024 22:48

Marine Le Pen, member of parliament and member of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group during a debate about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at the National Assembly in Paris, October 23, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq) — Marine Le Pen, member of parliament and member of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group during a debate about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at the National Assembly in Paris, October 23, 2023.

(photo credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq)

The Jewish leaders represented small communities and suburbs and did not come from any of the country's established Jewish groups or institutions.

French Jewish community leaders met with National Rally parliamentary leader Marine Le Pen on Monday after the party led in the first round of France’s parliamentary elections, sources familiar with the meeting told The Jerusalem Post.

The Jewish leaders represented small communities and suburbs and did not come from any of the country’s established Jewish groups or institutions.

Radio Shalom reported Monday that Kremlin-Bicètre Synagogue president Albert Myara had participated in the meeting, and that Myara told the channel that the 30 community leaders had not requested the meeting but met with Le Pen at the request of a third party.

Mainstream Jewish organizations disconnect from political extremes

French Jewish organizations like Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) have maintained a policy of not talking to elements on the far Right or far Left, but according to sources would advise and interact with the parties if they assumed power.

People gather to protest against the French far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally - RN) party, at Place de la Republique following partial results in the first round of the early 2024 legislative elections, in Paris, France, June 30, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/FABRIZIO BENSCH)

A few Jewish organizations have called on French Jews not to vote for the far Left or far Right in the elections.

National Rally won 33.15% of the vote on Sunday, with the left-wing New Popular Front coalition and President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble placing second and third with 27.99% and 20.76%, respectively.