French Jews urged to leave as far right wins first election round

“It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France. I tell everyone who is young to go to Israel or a more secure country.” 

These words are the response of Grande Synagogue of Paris Chief Rabbi Moshe Sebbag to the results of the first round of the French presidential election held last weekend.

Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) party scored historic gains to win the first round with around 34% of the vote, according to exit polls. In second place with 29% of the vote was the New Popular Front (NFP), a left-wing coalition that is equally unpalatable for the Jewish community due to anti-Zionist and, arguably, antisemitic elements.

The final result will depend on political dealmaking over the next week.

The result is a huge setback for President Emmanuel Macron who had called the snap election after his ticket was trounced by the RN in European Parliament elections earlier this month, where the far right also made unprecedented gains.

Macron’s Renaissance party has plummeted to 22% of the vote, putting it in third place. The traditional right, which regularly held power until 2012, has become all but insignificant.

In the past, centre-right and centre-left parties have teamed up to keep the RN from power, but that dynamic, known as the "republican front," may not work this time.