The CFCM files a complaint against Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, researcher at the CNRS

In a press release published on January 11, 2024, the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) announces that it has filed a complaint for defamation against Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, researcher at the CNRS, following her comments on social networks accusing the CFCM in particular of being “the Hamas spokesperson.

The CFCM denounces the “recurring and defamatory statements” of the researcher, whose comments “move away from the requirements of scientific rigor to drift towards a militant and conspiratorial posture”. The organization lists several examples of statements deemed problematic, including “fake news” and “conspiracy theories” concerning Muslims, Gaza, the UN and various institutions.

While strongly condemning “any form of threat or intimidation” to which the researcher could have been subject, the CFCM recalls that “Muslims are neither a business nor a career springboard”, and that “the scientific research is not done through defamation and disinformation.”

According to the press release, the researcher would have notably relayed content from controversial personalities, including Robert Spencer, “extremist banned from staying in the United Kingdom for inciting hatred” and cited by the terrorist Anders Breivik.

CFCM press release

“Rigorous researcher” or “social media conspiracy activist”?

The CFCM files a complaint against Florence Bergeaud-Blackler

The French Council of Muslim Religion (CFCM) wishes to react to the recurring and defamatory statements of Ms. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, CNRS researcher, whose comments on social networks move away from the requirements of scientific rigor to drift towards a militant and conspiratorial.

The CFCM shared an article from RFI entitled: “ Gaza: the number of deaths underestimated by 41%, according to a study published in The Lancet ». This study was also taken up by numerous French newspapers and media (Libération, France info, TF1 Info, etc.).

In reaction, Ms. Bergeaud-Blackler published on her page The CFCM (French Council of Muslim Worship) has become the spokesperson for Hamas “. Following her reasoning, the journal The Lancet, RFI and the other media relaying this information would also, according to her, be Hamas relays.

Ms. Bergeaud-Blackler, whose scientific credibility is today widely questioned in the academic environment, seems to have chosen a strategy of escalation on social networks, going ever further into provocation, aggressiveness and defamation. She also makes victim complaints against her supervisory institution, the CNRS, which she accuses of hindering her research and subjecting her to “ political disciplinary procedures.

The CFCM notes that its reactions to press releases from our institution are increasingly irrational, disproportionate and systematically accompanied by untruths. Beyond these reactions, Mrs. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler’s page X contains numerous “fake news”, conspiracy theories, and approximations which deserve to be brought to the attention of public opinion.

Without being exhaustive, here are some examples of his problematic statements and positions:

1. Conspiracy discourse against Muslims : Ms. Bergeaud-Blackler implicitly considers that almost all Muslims are affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, as evidenced by her statement: “I knew a time when you could be Muslim without being a Muslim Brother. Today, I don’t know if it’s possible. »
2. Media denigration and conspiracy on Gaza : In reaction to the “front page” of Libération displaying a Palestinian victim, a conspiratorial internet user “CR” said of Libération “ In 2023, this Hamas propaganda organ received 4.2 million euros in direct state aid “. Ms. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler immediately thanked him: “Thank you for reminding us that media coverage does not always reflect “the facts”. In fact, she accused real Palestinian victims of being actors.
3. Minimizing acts of vandalism against places of worship : She justified tags degrading a mosque in Lyon by stating: “No hatred here, at most the deterioration of the building. The CFCM condemns the joy and pride of those who do not think like it.”
4. Attacks on the UN: Ms. Bergeaud-Blackler described the UN as “a machine specialized in the global diffusion of anti-Semitism”, and of being “at the service of all regressions”.
5. She attacked Pope Francis when he denounced cruelty in Gaza. According to her, “When the brother muses broadcast the Pope’s words… it is because they see him not only as harmless but useful to their cause.”
6. Accusation of lying to German authorities: During the Christmas market attack, she rejected the German authorities’ version of a far-right sympathizer, saying she was “not only false but deceptive “.
7. Delusional and conspiratorial approach towards an honorable and respected magistrate which helps students from the suburbs to pass the magistracy exam. She describes her initiative as “ remedies and cures offered by the frerosphere “.
8. Lowering of France : She spread on her X account a lunar and contemptuous theory towards France which would have been “ sold off to the Muslim Brotherhood and Qatar »making our country a simple “proxy” of Qatar.

9. Proximity to extremists : She is inspired and proudly reposts Robert’s tweets

Spencer, extremist banned from the UK for inciting hatred, and cited 64 times by Anders Breivik, the far-right terrorist who murdered 77 people in Norway.

The CFCM is aware that Ms. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler’s repeated attacks against it aim, among other things, to cause “bad buzz” and that through this she is seeking more visibility. By her own admission, she tweeted on May 5, 2024: “ I hope one day I will have a decent salary and a research team “.

However, the CFCM reminds Ms. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler that in her quest, not all means are permitted. Muslims are neither a business nor a career springboard. Scientific research is not carried out through defamation and disinformation, even less by adopting the codes of conspiratorial rhetoric.

The CFCM respects the freedom of expression of Ms. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler and firmly condemns any form of threat or intimidation to which she has or may be subject.

Furthermore, the CFCM reminds Ms. Begeaud-Blackler that defamatory comments fall under the law, especially when they endanger the people and institutions targeted. Consequently, the CFCM announces that it is filing a complaint against him for defamation.

Paris, January 11, 2025

French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM)