French Jewish scholar Georges Bensoussan is being sued by Muslim anti-racism groups for saying in a radio debate: “In French Arab families, babies suckle antisemitism with their mothers’ milk.”

Mr Bensoussan, who is the editor of the magazine The Shoah History Review, said he was roughly quoting Algerian sociologist Smain Laacher, but the groups suing him claim his statements amounted to incitement to hatred.

In a Paris court last week, Mr Bensoussan argued that many Muslim scholars “have said the same things that I have but they’re not being sued”.

Several scholars testified at the stand, some saying they were outraged to see Mr Bensoussan in court, others saying the historian had crossed red lines.

“I was shocked by his words. I am an Arab and I’m not an anti-Semite. My family has never taught me to hate Jews,” said journalist Mohamed Sifaoui. “I sent emissaries to Georges Bensoussan to ask him to apologize to those he has hurt but he refused. He’s a historian he should be more subtle. Of course many Muslims are anti-Semitic. Saying otherwise would be dishonest. But there are also Muslims who fight antisemitism. Denying that is also dishonest.”

But the judge noted that Mr Sifaoui himself had written in an article that “Arabs don’t visit Auschwitz” and that Arabs are either “swamped by a culture of indifference” or “they suckle on anti-Semitic hatred nipples”.

“My expression is completely different from the one Bensoussan used,” replied Mr Sifaoui.

“Many Muslim scholars have said the same things that I have but they’re not being sued. That’s racism!” argued Mr Bensoussan.

“I’m surprised I have to defend him in front of a court,” said philosopher Alain Finkielkraut who hosts the radio show on which Mr Bensoussan made the controversial statement. “Anti-racist groups want to ban all thought and debate. They say we’re accusing a whole community but Bensoussan says he’s fighting for integration. He’s quoting Arab scholars. If he’s convicted it would be an intellectual and moral catastrophe. Denying reality will only bring more division and hatred.”

“Georges Bensoussan is not a bigot. He signed petitions for peace in the Middle East. He dedicated several issued of the Shoah memorial magazine to the Armenian and Rwandan genocides. He’s denouncing a problem that exists. All those who cherish democracy should thank him,” said retired Professor Elisabeth de Fontenay.

Historian Yves Ternon, who has studied the Armenian genocide said he admired Mr Bensoussan. “We’ve worked together for decades, studying the scientific similarities between genocides,” said Ternon. “You know revisionists have tools: one of them is to accuse those who accuse them. Bensoussan is a whistleblower. When hatred against Jews spreads, everyone gets hurt.”

The judge read out a study showing that the far-right and Muslims tend to have antisemitic beliefs.

He said: “Nineteen per cent of the French population believes Jews have too much political power. The share is at 51 per cent among Muslims and 63 per cent among religious Muslims.”  

“I don’t believe in that study but it’s true that among Muslims we use the expression ‘Jew – sorry!’ to disapprove of something. However that’s not really hatred. It’s an old expression which isn’t really considered as a hate insult today,” said Nacera Guenif, a sociologist testifying against the historian. “What’s important is that Mr Bensoussan is spreading a dangerous theory. When you say all Muslims behave in a bad way, you encourage suspicion that can lead to hate and violence. When you’re a historian, when you have a popular radio show you also have responsibilities.”

Mr Bensoussan told the court he had apologised several times to those who were hurt by his comments. He said he did not mean to generalise his remarks to all Muslims.

The court is due to rule on March 7.