France’s National Assembly is set to continue its second day of discussions over a bill to combat antisemitism in higher education, following a tense first day of debate in the assembly over the text that was unanimously approved by the Senate.
The text was brought by Pierre Henriet and Constance Le Grip, with the aim of enhancing prevention and reporting systems in French education, as well as making it mandatory that each university have a representative responsible for the fight against racism and antisemitism.
“Not a single student should hesitate to go class because they feel there is the potential for antisemitism,” said Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste, adding, “Since October 7, 2023, we have witnessed an alarming increase in antisemitic acts in our society, and higher education, unfortunately, has not been spared.”
Article 3 – the most controversial – was set to be discussed on Wednesday afternoon. The first article of the text, which centers on providing training regarding the fight against antisemitism, racism, discrimination, violence, and hatred, was voted on in the Tuesday debate, having already been adopted by the Senate.
La France Insoumise, a far-left party, voted against the first article, proposing it be rewritten using the definition of discrimination in the penal code, which does not mention antisemitism. Notably, Article 1 is based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
The “no” vote caused tension to break out in the assembly, with Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination Minister Aurore Bergé, accusing LFI of “increasing fear toward our Jewish compatriots,” and LFI deputy leader Mathilde Panot retorting that Bergé was “exploiting antisemitism to silence voices for peace on the genocide in Palestine.”
A 'common disciplinary area'
Article 3 of the bill was originally deleted during its examination by the assembly committee. It calls for the creation of a “common disciplinary area” for higher-education institutions in the same academic region, which would be chaired by a member of the administrative court. Henriet advocated for its reintroduction, according to AFP.
Henriet cited research by the Union of Jewish Students of France that found that nine out of 10 students say they have experienced antisemitism at university.
According to MoDem MP Géraldine Bannier, “Strengthening disciplinary procedures is necessary as antisemitic acts are too rarely punished.”
However, the Greens and LFI opposed the bill. Greens MP Steevy Gustave said, “The desire to professionalize disciplinary justice by resorting to an administrative judge breaks with the tradition of autonomous universities.”