Israeli politicians have called on French Jews to make Aliyah after last Sunday’s election result.
Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Lieberman acted after Jean-Luc Melenchon’s far left New Popular Front party received the most seats ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble and Marie Le Pen’s far-right National Rally Alliance.
Le Pen won the first round of voting and was expected to take power until other blocs responded to crush her chances.
Melenchon, who wore a keffiyeh during his concluding speech of the first round, is known for anti-Israel sentiments.
“I call on the French Jews to leave France and immigrate to the State of Israel,” Lieberman said.
“His (Melenchon’s) party represents pure antisemitism and expresses a significant increase in hatred of Israel and antisemitism,” he added.
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer noted: “The State of Israel is the home of the Jewish people, Israel invites you to return home, we will welcome the Jews of France.”
The ministry is amending procedures for French Jews as they expect a “significant wave of aliyah” from Western countries.
NPF’s triumph has caused shock waves among Jewish leaders across France.
Rabbi Moshe Sebbag of the Synagogue de la Victoire is worried for the next generation of youngsters due to antisemitism in France.
He reportedly said: “It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France.”
Sebbag added: “The left is once again kidnapped by the infamous Melenchon. Around him right now are some incarnations of the new antisemitism.”
Yonatan Arfi, Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France called for a coalition of moderate parties to exclude Melenchon’s party.
Le Pen’s father, and party founder, was Holocaust denier Jean-Marie Le Pen. His daughter had vowed to shield French Jews’ against antisemitism.