Crif – France-USA: Conversation between Deborah Lipstadt and Manuel Valls

On the side of the Paris Peace Forum, Crif organized a Conversation between US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

Crédits photos : ©USA EMBASSY PARIS

On November 12, 2024, on the side of the Paris Peace Forum, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls discussed the issue of antisemitism and its expressions and intensifications in French and American society.

They talked about the situation on American campuses and in some French schools and universities, and the distress of Jewish students since October 7, 2023.
Deborah Lipstadt denounced the absurdity and lack of coherence in the commitments of several groups, and deplored the excesses observed in too many American universities.

Asked by Crif President Yonathan Arfi about “wokism”, Deborah Lipstadt pointed out that she doesn't like this term and prefers “diversity”. “I like the idea of diversity; it's essential. A few decades ago, many American universities could be described as 'Yale, pale and male'. Fortunately, this has changed, and that's a good thing!"

She reiterated the need for a diverse and inclusive society, as long as it remains coherent and respectful.

Manuel Valls reminded the audience of the major changes in antisemitism in France and the United States, and denounced the hate of Israel as an openly antisemitic phenomenon, particularly present since October 7, 2023.

Ambassador Lipstadt was in Paris for the Paris Peace Forum and for the first France-US dialogue on antisemitism, announced by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden a few months ago.

On the French side, this dialogue was led by H.E. Isabelle Rome, Ambassador for Human Rights.

Premier dialogue franco-américain pour la lutte contre l’antisémitisme, en marge du @ParisPeaceForum . Une volonté des présidents @EmmanuelMacron et @JoeBiden . Échange de pratiques et construction d’une feuille de route ambitieuse .
Avec @deborahlipstadt .@francediplo… pic.twitter.com/7ZA8gWtW2e

— Isabelle Rome (@RomeIsabelle) November 13, 2024

Ambassador Isabelle Rome introduced the Conversation between Deborah Lipstadt and Manuel Valls, recalling France's commitment against all forms of discrimination and its determination to combat antisemitism.