At the Socialist Party gathering, Jerome Guedj levels accusations towards Jean-Luc Melenchon, labeling him as a "miscreant with anti-Semitic tendencies."
Words Have Consequences. Socialist deputy Jérôme Guedj, who split from La France insoumise (LFI) post-Hamas' October 7, 2023 Israel attacks, slammed Jean-Luc Mélenchon for turning into an "abhorrent antisemite" last Saturday, June 14. Former allies, Guedj and the LFI leader were tight-knit when the latter was with the Socialist Party, departing in 2008.
"When I point out to Jean-Luc Mélenchon that it's not acceptable or desirable to defend the Palestinian cause 'from sea to river,' I'm upholding the traditional socialist stance (...) which is the two-state solution, Israel's security, and the recognition of the Palestinian state. And when I do that, I'm called a genocidal Zionist by Jean-Luc Mélenchon and his followers," Guedj stated at the Socialist Party congress in Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle). "It pains me deeply to declare in front of this gathering that, for the first time in my life, I've had to state about a man I held dear that he's transformed into an abhorrent antisemite, with statements that are unbearably offensive to us," the Essonne deputy added, to audience approval.
Party Politics and Prickly Relationships
One of the matters under discussion at the congress revolves around the Socialist Party's connection with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's movement: opponents of Olivier Faure are pushing for the severest possible split with LFI in upcoming elections. A strong proponent of the left-wing Nupes coalition after the 2022 election, Jérôme Guedj distanced himself from LFI following the October attacks. Jean-Luc Mélenchon offered some scathing and enigmatic remarks against Guedj, labelling him a "cowardly informer."
The division within the Socialist Party over its relationship with LFI continues. Guedj pinpointed the PS's indecisiveness, stating that the ambiguity towards LFI is merely tacitly tolerated by the party leadership[1]. The unresolved discord between the two parties regarding foreign policy, Israel-Palestine, and antisemitism, has been ongoing, with reconciliatory attempts falling flat at the recent PS congress[3]. As the relationship between the two parties remains in flux, the political landscape of France continues to shift.
In the tumultuous world of French politics, the Socialist Party grapples with the contentious issue of its relationship with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's movement, La France insoumise (LFI). As the divide widens, calls for a complete severance from LFI in upcoming elections are growing, led by opponents of Olivier Faure. Jérôme Guedj, a staunch advocate for the left-wing Nupes coalition, has already distanced himself from LFI following the October attacks. This discord, stemming from differing views on foreign policy, Israel-Palestine, and antisemitism, has persisted, with attempts at reconciliation proving futile at the recent PS congress. Meanwhile, general news continues to swirl around the heated exchanges and strained partnerships within political circles, including the accusations of antisemitism levied by Guedj against Mélenchon, a matter that further complicates the politics of war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and policy-and-legislation in France.
