If he actually said that to you, good enough. He’s more to the left than I am, so I’m a bit surprised he gave money where a more centrist liberal like myself wouldn’t.
That Jean-Marie Le Pen and the National Front pushed ultra-nationalist and right-wing agendas through a populist platform? That’s been well understood for decades now.
That a right-wing party that pushes economic isolationism, xenophobia, extreme law-and-order, traditional native values, and ultra-nationalism can be classified as fascist? Again, well understood.
That the National Front has a history of anti-Semitism? Many examples over its history, including lots of Holocaust denialism. Here’s a baked treat from dear old dad (convicted by French courts on charges of racism and incitement over the years) from as late as 2014.
That the party has shifted its focus from the perfidy of Jews to that of Muslims? Here’s an article (albeit from an evil Semitic source) on the how’s and why’s. Short version: it’s PR and an attempt to woo short-sighted right-wing Jews who hate Muslims more than they hate fascists.
It’s charming that some think that Marine has suddenly found a special place in her heart for the Jews, but if the National Front had a shot at gaining real power there I’d be looking to make my exit if I was a French Jew.
