French Chief Rabbi Accused of Defending War Crimes for Supporting Israel's Actions in Gaza
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Loading... - Dendera Abdo
- 28 Aug 2024
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A left-wing French lawmaker, Aymeric Caron, has accused the country's chief rabbi, Haim Korsia, of "defending war crimes" after the rabbi expressed support for Israel's actions in Gaza during a television interview. Caron, who represents Paris's 18th constituency in the National Assembly, reported the rabbi's comments to the chief prosecutor of Paris, citing Article 40 of the Criminal Code.
During the interview, Rabbi Korsia stated that he wanted to see Israel "finish the job in Gaza" so that peace could be achieved in the Middle East. He also emphasized that the conflict is between Israel and Hamas, not between Israel and the Palestinians, and expressed pride in how Israel conducts combat, putting its own soldiers at risk.
Caron, who is a member of the Ecological Revolution for the Living party, accused the rabbi of publicly defending war crimes in Gaza. However, Rabbi Korsia's supporters, including Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), have defended the rabbi, saying that he is more republican than Caron and his leftist coalition.
The controversy comes amid rising tensions in France over the conflict in Gaza, with anti-Israel protests drawing large crowds and hate crimes against Jews tripling since the war broke out. The country has also increased its security presence, particularly during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, due to concerns over possible terrorism targeting Israeli or Jewish athletes.
The debate highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with different perspectives on the actions of Israel and Hamas. While Rabbi Korsia's comments have been criticized by some as defending war crimes, others see them as a legitimate expression of support for Israel's right to self-defense. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the limits of free speech and the role of religious leaders in political debates.
