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Friday, February 27, 2026
French left-wing politician accused of antisemitism over Epstein jibe
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French far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon has sparked new accusations of antisemitism after mocking the pronunciation of the name “Epstein” during a political rally in southeastern France.
Speaking at a gathering in Lyon last night, Melenchon invoked the name of Jeffrey Epstein, after recent disclosures detailed the convicted sex offender’s extensive ties to the world’s rich, famous and powerful.
“I wanted to say ‘Epstein,’ sorry, it sounds more Russian, ‘Epsteen,'” said the France Unbowed (LFI) leader. “So now you’ll say Epsteen instead of Epstein, Franckensteen instead of Frankenstein,” he told a laughing audience.
The comments, which came ahead of municipal elections next month, spark outrage from across the political spectrum.
Melenchon, 74, rejects accusations of antisemitism, calling his comments “ironic.”
President Emmanuel Macron shares a video today on social media of a recent speech he made condemning the “antisemitic hydra” that he said had crept into “every crack” of French society.
“This was 15 days ago,” he writes.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez describes Melenchon’s remarks as “abject,” while Equality Minister Aurore Berge writes on X that “antisemitism in France can be spelled out in three letters: L-F-I.”
Socialist lawmaker Laurence Rossignol condemns the comments as “the most terrifying antisemitism.”
“How many decades has it been since a politician made a room laugh by rattling off Jewish names, emphasizing their pronunciation, with a sneer of hatred?” Rossignol says.
The Times of Israel Community.