A first set of questions bore on Bernard-Henri Lévy’s political engagement. The philosopher outlined his priorities: refusing politics for politics’ sake, fighting for human rights, supporting Israel, fighting anti-Semitism and neo-anti-Semitism (the core chapter in his book).
BHL affirmed his refusal of radical Islamism. His concept of “fascislamism”, he said, avoids confusing Islam with radical Islamism. Contrary to current analytical opinion, the origins of the latter, he says, are to be found in German fascism, in its Arab version represented by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, who was a contemporary of Hitler, and in the Muslim Brotherhood.
The future war will take place between fascist Islamists and the democrats of Islam, with whom we must establish links of solidarity. There will be a Palestinian State the day Palestinian leaders come to consider Israel’s existence as an opportunity for the region, added the philosopher.
BHL said he had been shocked by the “unacceptable” statements made by the Algerian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs (see our previous newsletters). In his view they constituted a triple affront to the French President, to France and to Jews and the absence of reaction on the part of leading figures only shows how commonplace and accepted anti-Semitism has become.
Nevertheless, Bernard-Henri Lévy chose to conclude on an optimistic note: “Anti-Semitism will be conquered thanks to the young generation who will have learned from their elders”.
English
Français