Un antisémitisme nouveau? The debate about a ‘new antisemitism’ in France

Peace, T. (2009) Un antisémitisme nouveau? The debate about a ‘new antisemitism’ in France. Patterns of Prejudice, 43(2), pp. 103-121. (doi: 10.1080/00313220902793773)

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Abstract

Nowhere has the debate about a ‘new antisemitism’ been as fierce and relevant as in France. In recent years this country has witnessed high recorded levels of antisemitism, prompting many commentators to claim the existence of an anti-sémitisme nouveau. Something has indeed changed, at least in terms of the nature, frequency and perpetrators of antisemitic violence in France. Previously connected exclusively to the extreme right, it has now also become associated with a group that is itself a victim of discrimination: ethnic minority youths living in the poor suburbs (banlieues). Peace first discusses and explains the statistics produced by the French watchdog on racism and antisemitism as well as the effects of the Middle East conflict. He then traces the debate on this ‘new antisemitism’ in the French context, contrasting the views of the label's promoters and opponents. He argues that, while antisemitism has undoubtedly evolved, the ‘new’ label is effectively erroneous as it fuses supposedly leftist and ‘Muslim’ antisemitism into one entity when they are not necessarily linked. In addition, he offers vital clarification of the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism along with suggestions for further research.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Peace, Dr Timothy
Authors: Peace, T.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
Journal Name:Patterns of Prejudice
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0031-322X
ISSN (Online):1461-7331
Published Online:17 April 2009

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