Parliament approves a proposal stating that the State of Israel is anti-Semitic • The decision was made by a majority of 154 against 72 • MP Meir Habib: "Anti-Zionism has never been content with criticism of Israel - it is an obsession" • Foreign Minister Katz: "An important step in the struggle" • Arden: "Expect actions against BDS"

• Antisemitic graffiti // Photo: From Twitter

• French National Council // Photo: Islands. Nose. times

• The vote that states that anti-Israelism is anti-Semitic

The lower house of Parliament in France this evening (Tuesday) approved a statement on the fight against anti-Semitism, which means that Israel's hatred is a form of anti-Semitism. In favor of the proposal, 154 members of the National Council voted against 72 who opposed it.

The statement, which also calls on the government to join other European countries in adopting the International Alliance for Holocaust Remembrance, was tabled by Sylvain Mailard, condemning "hatred for Israel justified by its conception of a Jewish collective", as it were.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz welcomed the decision, saying: "I applaud the French parliament's decision to adopt the anti-Semitism definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Mission (IHRA). Adopting the resolution confirms President Macron's remarks that anti-Zionism is the new face of anti-Semitism. It is important in the fight against anti-Semitism, and I urge more countries to follow France. "

Anti-Semitic graffiti in New York // Photo: Islands times

Prior to the vote, Meir Habib National Council member attacked the softened version that he had voted, accusing the political system of cowardice. "French policy in the fight against anti-Semitism is a failure," Habib argued, "there is an outbreak of anti-Semitic assaults. 12 French people have been murdered for being Jews since 2003. Half of France's racist acts were committed against Jews, although they account for less than one percent of the population. Very few acts. "

Habib made a statement in his speech that despite President Macron's condemnation of the bill last February, the bill that was due last May was rejected several times and sparked public debate: "There is compassion, yes, but mostly political courage. Evidence, the delay and inconvenience surrounding the law This one, which had to pass unanimously, as in Germany or the United Kingdom. Despite the President's commitment, the wording of the law was rewritten and repeated today in a softened version. Anti-Zionism was content with criticizing Israel's policy. I worry about Jews but I am mainly concerned for France. "

Meir Habib before the vote in the French parliament

Interior Minister Gilad Arden also congratulated the French decision, saying: "Under the guise of" political criticism "of the State of Israel, anti-Semitic content is being circulated, poisoning the discourse and denying Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. I applaud the French parliament for the important decision to help fight Anti-Semitism is also rising in France and Europe in general. We expect, of course, to see practical steps by the French government against bds and anti-Semitic activists spreading hatred in France against Israel and the Jews. "

Recall, on May 26, 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance adopted the definition of work for anti-Semitism, stating that the legitimization of the State of Israel is also considered an anti-Semitic expression.