Controversy Erupts Over French Politician’s Swastika Birthday Cake Photo

The publication of the photo of his birthday cake decorated with a swastika on the social network caused a general outcry, reports Franceinfo.

The text accompanying Djamel Boumaaz’s post was expressive: "I had a great day with my family, a walk, dinner at a friend’s place... then came the birthday cake, offered by my friend! What a surprise; I thanked him for this gesture of friendship." This post was quickly deleted and the Facebook account of the former Front National, now Rassemblement National, elected official was suspended.

In the wake of this, the publication provoked the wrath of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a defender of the rights of Jews around the world, based in Los Angeles, which called for the removal of the municipal councilor. According to the same source, the center has invited the European Coalition of Cities against Racism "to condemn Boumaaz and urge the mayor of Montpellier to take the necessary measures to have his municipal functions withdrawn."

Contacted by Le Parisien last Saturday, the elected official made it clear that the publication dated back two years and was in fact "truncated." "In the text, I did mention having refused this famous cake. As I said, I’m not a fascist but angry, like many French people," he defended himself.

He remembers that at the time, social network users had reported the photo in question. "I was summoned and questioned at the police station. The case was obviously dismissed without further action. I am not anti-Semitic, let alone Judeophobic. I am only lobbyphobic."