Left primary candidates clash over Israel, antisemitism and Gaza terminology

The inaugural televised debate of the social-democratic primary featured five candidates debating the Gaza war and the surge of antisemitism in France. Ségolène Royal argued that French Jews and Israelis should publicly denounce Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, believing this would help stem antisemitic backlash. Jérôme Guedj reacted with outrage, labeling the appeal an "incredible injunction" and defending universal republican values.

Raphaël Glucksmann countered, insisting that it is the duty of democrats and humanists, not Jews, to speak out, and warned against inflaming tensions with careless wording. He also expressed support for sanctions against the Israeli prime minister. The candidates further disputed the appropriate label for the Gaza situation, with Royal calling it a genocide, while Glucksmann referred to the International Criminal Court’s terms of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The vote for the primary’s first round is scheduled for early October, followed by a second round later that month.