French Minister Accuses Journalist of 'Glorifying Terrorism' Over Israel Comments

Thursday 17 October 2024 - 09:50

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has filed a formal complaint against Franco-Moroccan journalist Zineb El Rhazoui, alleging she glorified terrorism in her recent comments about Israel.

The complaint stems from El Rhazoui's controversial statements in an October 4 interview with 'Nouvelle Aube' newspaper, where she refused to condemn Hamas's October 2023 attacks on Israel and challenged the notion of Israeli civilian casualties.

"I do not condemn October 7," El Rhazoui stated in the interview. She went on to assert that "There are no civilians in Israel since everyone does military service and comes to colonize a land that doesn't belong to them."

This latest controversy follows El Rhazoui's loss of the prestigious Simone Veil award in December 2023. The award was revoked by Valerie Pecresse, president of the Ile-de-France regional council, after El Rhazoui posted social media content accusing Israeli forces of "genocide."

Pecresse noted that while El Rhazoui's "courage" and "fight against Islamism" had initially earned her the award in 2019, her recent statements had "terribly hurt our compatriots who experienced the barbarity of the Holocaust."

The case highlights growing tensions in France over public discourse surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, particularly among prominent voices in media and politics. Minister Retailleau's complaint has been submitted to the Paris Public Prosecutor for review, marking a significant escalation in the official response to El Rhazoui's public statements.

This development reflects the broader challenges facing European nations as they navigate complex discussions about the ongoing Middle East conflict while addressing concerns about antisemitism and the glorification of violence.