Why is the French left so willing to excuse Hamas apologists?

One hopes that the arrest of seven suspected members of Hamas last Thursday by European police has embarrassed numerous politicians in the West. Those, like Daniele Obono, of the La France Insoumise (LFI) party, who described the terror group as a ‘resistance movement’ not long after they’d slaughtered 1,200 Israeli men, women and children back in October. According to reports, the seven terrorists were arrested in Germany, Holland and Denmark as they prepared to launch attacks against several Jewish sites in Europe.  

One of the most disturbing elements of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel in a European context was the reaction of many on the political and cultural left. In no party has this been more pronounced than in LFI, who consequently have seen their approval rating plummet. 

In contrast, the standing of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (NR) continues to rise.