The Rise Of Neo Nazism in France
- Camille
- Jul 12, 2021
- 3 min read
Neo-Nazism is the far-right modern rebirth of the Nazi idealogy, seeking to reinstate its regime after Hitler’s downfall in 1945. Similarly to its predecessors, Neo-Nazis promote extremist elements from race superiority (white supremacy), ultranationalism, oppressive doctrines against ethnic & religious minorities and, in some cases, the installation of a fascist state. Why is France, a country that prides itself on being indivisible and democratic, observing a rise in a racist failed ideology of the past?
France’s Antisematic Past
Just like many other European countries, France had been a place of discrimination against non-christian minorities of which the persecution of the Jewish people have dated back to as far as 1007 A.D. From religious discrimation to outright attempts of religious cleansing, the past was nothing short of oppression and persecution of the people practicing Judaism. Full equality in the eyes of the law was only given righteously to the jews in 1831, however this does not mean that discrimination was fully eradicated. The Dreyfus Affair, a political scandal from 1894 to 1906, shed some light on religious discrimination in the french judicial system.
Then came the transformation of the country into the Vichy regime, which was an extremely authoritarian, xenophobic and antisematic government led by Marshal Philipe Pétain who was culpable of collaborating with Nazi Germany and participating in the Holocaust.
Even after the end of WW2, many Jews still faced some sort of discrimination in the country from things such as insults, holocaust denials to even assaults. The government did pass some anti-discriminatory laws that supposedly protect the Jewish community, however, many still chose to leave the country to start a new life elsewhere.
Post World War Two, Nazi Ideology have still made its impact and spread its poison to the general population. Anti-semitic and neo-fascist organizations started to form, such as the European Social Mouvement, created by two SS soldiers and its predecessor the New European Order.
In the late 20th century until now, Neo-Nazism, and most notably Anti-Semitism, is still very much alive in the country, residing in mostly radical right-wing political organizations.
Neo-Nazism’s Infiltration of the Military
An investigation conducted by Mediapart was released on march 25th 2021, revealing that the military is rife with Nazi sympathisers. The Paris based journal reported and identified a total of 50 French soldiers of all ranks who have ties with neo-nazi parties or mouvements. They have mentionned that this number does not represent the French army as a whole, there could be even more that the report have not yet identified.
However the investigation itself was rather questionable as the conductors would also implicate those with the number 88 (the number stands for Heil Hitler) in their usernames, this can be seen as extremely fragile evidence as people can unknowingly use said numbers.
Instagram videos of a soldier doing the Nazi salute, and jokingly make another do the salute (Source: Mediapart)
Nonetheless, the report has revealed extremely shocking evidence of videos and photos showing French Troops posing in front of the flag of the Third Reich or its symbols, making the “Heil Hitler” salute and using racist discourse.
Instagram video of a soldier telling children from where he was deployed to say "Sieg Heil" (Source: Mediapart)
Following the initial report, the French Defense Ministry had announced that they are investigating the matter and are taking it very seriously. Nonetheless, only one soldier have been expelled from the troops for having an SS tattoo.
BFMTV have also reported a photo of a French soldier wearing a patch on his right arm carrying the French flag, the number 32 and the insignia “Meine Ehre heißt Treue”, a motto used by SS soldiers during the Nazi Regime. At the time of the picture, he was deployed in Africa.
Neo-Nazism in the 21th Century
In May 2021, 6 members of a neo-nazi organization have been implicated with the charges of association to terrorist criminal organization. Belonging to a group who called itself “Honor and Nation” (“Honneur Et Nation” in French”), the suspects were believed to have a plot to carry out a violent attack on places of worship. The plot was named “Project Alsace” (“Projet Alsace”). Whilst their court procedure was still in process, officials have also said that another investigation into a neo-nazi group suspected of planning attacks on places of worship for Jews and Muslims was also underway.
Additionally, there have been multiple assemblies set up by neo-nazis throughout the years. Such the 2014 assembly in the village of Alsace in the East of France, commemorating and celebrating Hitler's 125th birthday. In 2013, there was also rally of hundreds of people ,organized by the neo-nazi group Hammerskin Nation in Eastern Pyrenees, France. The group believed in the concept of the Aeryan race and worships Hitler as a great thought leader.
References:
https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20131221-french-soldier-car-caught-wearing-nazi-slogan
https://www.wionews.com/world/france-charges-three-over-neo-nazi-attack-plot-383684
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-attacker-in-avignon-is-anti-muslim-extremist-/2024830
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/king-charles-vi-of-france-orders-all-jews-expelled
https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20140423-neo-nazis-celebrate-hitlers-birthday-alsace-village
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