French President Emmanuel Macron has announced new measures to tackle anti-Semitism, following a spate of attacks. He told Jewish leaders that France would recognize anti-Zionism - the denial of Israel's right to exist - as a form of anti-Semitism. He also said parliament would vote on a new law to tackle hatred on the internet.
On Tuesday Macron visited a Jewish cemetery near Strasbourg where graves were desecrated with Nazi symbols. On the same day, thousands of people joined rallies across France in support of the Jewish community.
Addressing an annual meeting of Jewish organizations on Wednesday, Macron said anti-Semitism in France and other Western countries had reached its worst levels since World War Two. Among a series of new measures, he said the government would act to dissolve three extreme-right groups - Bastion Social, Blood and Honor Hexagon and Combat 18 - which he said fuelled hatred and promoted discrimination.
Macron added: "Anti-Zionism is one of the modern forms of anti-Semitism. This is why I'm confirming that France will put forward the definition of anti-Semitism as drawn by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance."
-----BBC
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