Mobilizing the Narrative of Civilizational Clash: The French Far Right and the Fight Against Antisemitism

How did the Rassemblement National (RN) transform from one of Europe’s most notoriously antisemitic parties into an apparent ally of Israel? The recent participation of Jordan Bardella and Marion Maréchal in a Jerusalem conference on antisemitism highlights a strategic repositioning within the French far right.

This shift serves broader political objectives: enhancing the party’s legitimacy, reframing debates around antisemitism, and redirecting criticism toward leftist opponents and Muslims. By emphasizing discourse on “new antisemitism,” the RN seeks to deflect attention from its own extremist ties and promote a narrative of civilizational conflict. This development invites closer examination of how liberal values are being appropriated and distorted within contemporary far-right discourse.