Modern “progressive” antisemitism, especially prevalent in Western Europe, relies on two key groups.

The first group is left-wing intellectuals, who have significant influence among European elites and in the media. For them, truthful facts are less important than creating a narrative where Israel is depicted as a neo-colonial regime, allegedly committing “genocide of the poor and defenseless Palestinians”. This approach ignores the obvious: HAMAS openly declares its goal to destroy the state of Israel.

The second group is the increasingly influential Muslim minorities, which represent a significant electoral base for politicians in Western European countries. Representatives of these minorities, citing “solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians”, commit the largest number of attacks on Jews, Jewish organizations, schools, synagogues, and cemeteries. There is close interaction between left-wing intellectuals and representatives of Muslim minorities, enhancing the growth of antisemitic sentiments and incidents.

The escalation of antisemitism is most acute in France, largely due to the media’s stance.

Le Monde as a Reflection of New Antisemitism

In December, the newspaper Le Figaro published a resonant investigation about the place of antisemitism in the editorial culture of one of France’s most influential newspapers — Le Monde.

The materials from Le Figaro paint a damning picture of an editorial office crushed by ideological conformism and a toxic cancel culture. The atmosphere of fear leaves no room for alternative viewpoints: only left and progressive views are tolerated.

The investigation reveals a culture where ideological rigidity and self-censorship have become the norm. In the new offices of Le Monde, a so-called “Gaza Wall” has been erected. Under the headline “Stop the Genocide”, it features photographs of children and press clippings that convey a clear message: “Do not let anyone tell you it started on October 7, 2023”. Even harsher statements are placed on drawings in English: “This was never a conflict, it was always genocide”. One of the posters depicts a household sprayer spraying the Palestinian flag, next to it — the slogan “Freedom to Kill”, accompanying an image of the Statue of Liberty with a bloodied Israeli flag.

Such elements vividly demonstrate how the editorial board not only allows but visually enforces radical rhetoric, turning it into part of its identity.

There are plenty of examples of such bias. Coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict silenced the atrocities of terrorists and had a clear anti-Israel bias. Even reports on domestic issues, such as immigration, are often viewed through a narrow ideological lens. In these conditions, conforming to the dominant ideology became a survival strategy for employees.

Notably, Le Monde has adhered to a pro-Palestinian editorial line for decades, but its recent publications have crossed the line where criticism of Israel mixes with antisemitism.

Le Monde today is not just a newspaper, but a litmus test of the state of society, where ideological dictate suppresses truth, and fear becomes a tool of control. What started as criticism of Israel’s policies has turned into a platform for normalizing bias and, in some cases, hatred.

When the press, meant to be a bastion of objectivity, succumbs to ideological rigidity, it ceases to be a defender of democratic values and becomes a mirror reflecting the darkest aspects of society.

This evolution is dangerous not only for Jews but for all of Europe, where under the guise of “progressive” ideas, the very principle of equal coexistence is being destroyed. Ignoring this phenomenon is not just a mistake, but a step towards allowing old prejudices to acquire a new, “legitimate” face. Europe already knows the cost of such delusions. Can it avoid repeating them?

The words of the Chief Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Paris, Moshe Sebbag, become a bitter diagnosis of this reality. Assessing the results of the elections to the National Assembly and the rise of antisemitism, he said: “Today it is clear that Jews in France have no future”. His advice to young Jews to leave for Israel or seek a safer country sounds like an alarming call that cannot be ignored.