80 years of the Vél d’Hiv roundup: Macron calls on “republican forces” to “redouble their vigilance” in the face of anti-Semitism

Emmanuel Macron called on Sunday “the republican forces” to “redouble their vigilance” in the face of an “even more burning” and “creeping” anti-Semitism than 20 years ago, in a speech in Pithiviers in the Loiret, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Vel d’Hiv roundup. “Neither Pétain, nor Laval, nor Bousquet, nor Darquier de Pellepoix, none of these wanted to save Jews. It is a falsification of history to say so”, also hammered the head of the State, considering that “those who indulge in these lies have the plan to destroy the Republic and the unity of the Nation”.

A very offensive speech

The Élysée had promised a very offensive speech from Emmanuel Macron and the president was for 25 minutes. In a first long part, the President of the Republic recalled the historical facts and the memorial line of France since the speech of Jacques Chirac in 1995, which he even quoted. “Yes, France is responsible for the Vel d’Hiv roundup,” he continued to his predecessor.

Secondly, Emmanuel Macron virulently denounced the ever-present anti-Semitism. The Head of State even quoted very recent news events that marked him, especially when he said that anti-Semitism is displayed on city walls. He refers to the fresco in Avignon where he was represented as a puppet by Jacques Attali, a fresco which took up all the codes of anti-Semitic caricatures.

Zemmour particularly targeted

Finally, Emmanuel Macron attacked without naming him Éric Zemmour, whom he describes as a “revisionist commentator” after a presidential campaign marked by the positions of the polemicist. With this speech, he recalls the position of historians, the President of the Republic that the debate and puts the points on the i.