Israel embraces France’s far-right, turning blind eye to its Nazi past

Paris
CNN
 — 

A generation ago, it would have been unthinkable: the leader of France’s far-right party – an organization infamously founded by Nazis – invited to speak at an Israeli antisemitism conference.

But on Thursday, Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s National Rally party, will take to the stage in Jerusalem – a victory both symbolic and political for the far-right lawmaker as Israel seeks new friends around the world.

It’s a stunning reversal of political norms. Far-right leaders across Europe, desperate for mainstream acceptance, are seeking common cause with Israel in demonizing Muslims sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. And Israeli Prime…