"If Israel falls, we fall," former French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told The Jerusalem Post in Jerusalem on Thursday.
"The stakes of the world, the fight against Islamism, the fight against the regime of the Mullahs and its dangers, the links between Iran and Russia, the future of France and Europe is being decided here, in the land of Israel," he said, adding that this is why Israel must be supported.
Valls has long been considered a friend of Israel and the Jews, and has spoken out consistently against antisemitism. He is currently on a visit to Israel, where he has been meeting with prominent Israeli figures such as Knesset speaker Amir Ohana.
This was definitely not his first trip to Israel, having come for the first time in 1982 at 20 years old when he was the international secretary of the French Young Socialists, and multiple times since.
He stressed to the Post that, while he is not Jewish, he has been a "friend of Israel for a very long time" and that his commitment to Israel is symbiotic with his background in the political Left.
"Incidentally, this is often forgotten, but the relationship between France and Israel often passed through the left. That was the case with the relationship between Golda Meir, Rabin, Shimon Peres, Mitterrand, Jospin, and all those whose heirs we are today."
"But today, I also believe that the best way to fight antisemitism, clearly and honestly, is to support Israel." Valls defines antisemitism as the "hatred of Jews and hatred of Israel intertwined."
Valls however believes that some of France's political leaders misunderstand the nature of modern antisemitism. "They do not understand that today’s antisemitism is not the antisemitism of yesterday. The Dreyfus Affair, collaboration with the Nazis in 1940, the Shoah, the deportation of French Jews, old Christian or far-right antisemitism, this is all real, and we must continue to teach the Shoah in schools.
"But hatred of Jews today is linked to hatred of Israel. The best way to fight antisemitism is to defend Israel. And this is where I disagree with some politicians, such as [President] Emmanuel Macron."
He also said that the reality is that, within the Muslim population in France, "there is a minority that expresses hatred of Jews."
"Islamism endangers French Jews, but it also endangers the Republic," he added. "I believe that France without Jews would no longer be France; I said this in 2015. Judaism is intertwined with the history of France and Europe, despite the tragedies."
Valls: Jew-haters are the minority, not mainstream
Valls does believe that the Jew-haters are a minority and not a majority. Nevertheless, the minority is loud enough to be of concern.
"They are the same people who hate the Republic and believe that Sharia is more important than the law of the Republic. So it is the same fight. It is not only a Jewish problem; it is a problem for all French people."
He accused far-left party La France Insoumise of "turning hatred of Jews into a political business model." For this reason, Valls considers La France Insoumise to be a bigger threat than the National Assembly, which has previously been accused of antisemitism.
"During the large demonstration for the Republic and against antisemitism in November 2023, the far left was not there. The left-wing unions were not there. But the far right was there."
"For the first time in history, at a demonstration against antisemitism, the far left was absent, and the far right was present. So this is a change. The National Rally supports Israel and declares itself opposed to antisemitism. The National Rally fights antisemitism and declares itself against antisemitism. And the far left uses antisemitism for electoral reasons. For votes."
He calls this a "major political and anthropological shift" and something that has only occurred in recent years. Valls did acknowledge that there is of course still antisemitism in the National Assembly - like with every party - and that a lot of its support for Israel may stem more in its hatred for Muslims.
Regarding his country's recognition of a Palestinian state in 2025, Valls said it is "a mistake."
"I told the President of the Republic this, some even say it cost me my ministerial position." Valls served as French Minister of the Overseas in the Bayrou government between 23 December 2024 and 12 October 2025.
"First, it shows a lack of imagination regarding what is happening in the Middle East, especially after October 7. Of course, a solution for the Palestinians is necessary. It may come, I hope, through the reconstruction of Gaza and the involvement of the Arab world — especially Egypt and Jordan, and notably Saudi Arabia and the Emirates."
"But continuing today to speak of recognizing a Palestinian state without taking the context into account is a mistake. Giving the impression that recognizing the State of Palestine unconditionally somehow legitimizes Hamas is a grave error."
"That is why I opposed it. And French public opinion is also opposed to it."
Valls always has believed in a two-state solution being the long-term solution to the conflict, but not with Hamas present. "Yes in Gaza, of course, but also in the West Bank."
"As long as there is no recognition of Israel by all Arab countries and as long as the regime of the Mullahs has not been dealt with, as long we do not change the education given to Palestinians, including in East Jerusalem, we will never find a solution."
Valls told the Post that any solution must first take into account Israel’s security.
"Let us move beyond old formulas and outdated European diplomatic approaches that no longer reflect the transformations of the Near and Middle East," he concluded.