French rapper accused of antisemitism asked to talk at three left-wing political events

Médine replied that he overreacted: “I was replying to her insult, which no one found offensive. She called me ‘waste’. I admit I overreacted. I didn’t realise that the word ‘rescapé’ was so historically and emotionally charged. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”

“This controversy does not come as a surprise because Médine has had a string of antisemitic attitudes and actions,” Yonathan Arfi, leader of Jewish umbrella group CRIF, told a Jewish radio station.

“This moment is important because it’s a turning point. The positions these political leaders are taking today will crystallise and bring a new political reality. There is deep division in the French left.”

Historian Sébastien Ledoux wrote in Le Monde: “A part of the left is constantly drifting, when it comes to antisemitism. Their statements are part of an atmosphere that encourages antisemitism.”

Observers say France Unbowed and the Green Party have tried to woo Muslim voters, including those with extremist views.

“We wanted to create a media frenzy and we got it in the worst possible way,” said Marie Toussaint, who leads the French Green Party’s list in next year’s EU elections. “We made a mistake.”

But the party refused to cancel the invitation. Some of its leaders said Médine has changed in recent years and that he now fights all forms of antisemitism.