“An amalgam to silence any criticism against Israel”: already more than 223,000 signatures against the Yadan law

The protest is growing at high speed. In just a few hours, the petition against the bill proposed by Caroline Yadan reached a spectacular milestone: more than 223,000 signatures. A dazzling progression, with nearly 90,000 additional signatories in twenty-four hours, which demonstrates massive citizen mobilization. This text, officially presented as a tool for combating new forms of anti-Semitism, arouses great concern. At issue: an assumed amalgamation between anti-Semitism and criticism of the State of Israel, denounced by numerous citizens, lawyers and defenders of public liberties.

For the signatories, the danger is clear: silencing any political criticism of Israel, at the risk of seriously restricting freedom of expression. Journalists, researchers, activists: all could be affected by an extensive interpretation of the text.

Another major criticism: by assimilating Jews to the policy of the Israeli government, this bill would not only be dangerous, but also counterproductive in the fight against anti-Semitism, by maintaining precisely the confusions that it claims to combat. On an institutional level, the mobilization has already crossed a first symbolic threshold. From 100,000 signatures, a petition is put forward on the National Assembly website. But to hope for a debate in the hemicycle, it will be necessary to reach 500,000 signatures. A goal now within reach, given the current dynamic.

In recent history, only a petition with more than 2 million signatures — against the Duplomb law — had succeeded in forcing a parliamentary debate.

For those who refuse amalgamations and defend freedom of expression, the petition is still open: it’s up to you to sign and make your voice heard.