Former Charlie Hebdo Journalist Stripped of Simone Veil Prize Over Gaza Comments

This measure, announced by Valérie Pécresse, President of the region, follows statements by the essayist deemed "outrageous and shocking" concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. El Rhazoui, named "Francilian of the Year" in 2019 for her commitment against Islamism, has sparked controversy for retweeting a comparison between the Auschwitz camps and the Israeli response in Gaza.

For Valérie Pécresse, El Rhazoui’s statements were not in line with Simone Veil’s "message of peace", the Auschwitz survivor and emblematic figure of Franco-German reconciliation. The decision to withdraw the prize was taken in consultation with Simone Veil’s family, highlighting a significant gap between the values promoted by the former minister and the essayist’s positions.

In response, Zineb El Rhazoui updated her social media biography, indicating the withdrawal of her prize in 2023, and stated that she "honors Simone Veil’s legacy more than ever", justifying her remarks as a denunciation of Israeli actions in Gaza and affirming that the Simone Veil Prize represents the fight against "the mass crime of any fanatical regime".

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