{"id":27300,"date":"2023-12-09T15:39:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T15:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propertraining.net\/?p=27300"},"modified":"2023-12-09T15:39:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T15:39:06","slug":"macron-sparks-backlash-across-political-spectrum-over-hanukkah-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propertraining.net\/world-news\/macron-sparks-backlash-across-political-spectrum-over-hanukkah-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Macron sparks backlash across political spectrum over Hanukkah celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hanukkah: Jewish festival of light explained<\/h3>\n

Emmanuel Macron has triggered a heated political controversy in France after allowing a Jewish ritual at the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace.<\/p>\n

The French leader is under fire for allowing France\u2019s Chief Rabbi Haim Korsia to light the first candle of a menorah in the presidential palace as part of Hanukkah celebrations.<\/p>\n

Politicians across the political spectrum condemned the gesture, saying President Macron had failed to respect France\u2019s secular traditions.<\/p>\n

Even prominent French Jews disagreed with the decision.<\/p>\n

Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), said it had been \u201can error\u201d to kick off Hanukkah in the presidential palace.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt\u2019s in the DNA of the republic to stay away from anything religious. Jews in France have always considered secularism as a law of protection and a law of freedom.<\/p>\n

“Anything that weakens secularism weakens the Jews of France.”<\/p>\n

The idea of ‘secularism’ has been enshrined into French law since 1905.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Hamas release gruesome video of failed IDF raid to rescue hostages[LATEST] <\/strong>
Russian soldiers complain that North Korean ammo is causing weapons to explode[LATEST] <\/strong>
Mark Drakeford ‘ignoring’ concerns about ‘unreasonable’ 20mph, fumes key ally[EXCLUSIVE] <\/strong><\/p>\n

It established freedom of belief, but ended state involvement in the Church and removed all signs of religion from public buildings.<\/p>\n

David Lisnard, a prominent right-wing opposition figure who is also mayor of Cannes, said: “As far as I know this is the first time this has ever happened. It is a breach of secularism.”<\/p>\n

Far-left heavyweight Manuel Bompard said on X, formerly Twitter, that Macron had made \u201can unforgivable political mistake\u201d<\/p>\n

Green party deputy Sandrine Rousseau echoed this: “It would have been possible to support France\u2019s Jewish community without allowing a religious ceremony into the Elysee\u201d.<\/p>\n