LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Emmanuel Macron establishes a national day to commemorate the memory of Alfred Dreyfus. (Illustration image)
Politics – He was thinking about “A necessary gesture” to remember “The news of the Dreyfusards fight” And he found it. Emmanuel Macron established this Saturday, July 12, a national day of commemoration of the justice rehabilitation of Alfred Dreyfus, on Saturday July 12, unjustly accused of betrayal at the end of the 19th century.
The head of state, who called for “always” remaining vigilant “Against the old demons” of anti -Semitism, wrote in a declaration published by the Elysee that “Now, every July 12, a commemoration ceremony will be held for Dreyfus, for the victory of justice and the truth against hatred and anti -Semitism”.
The first ceremony will take place in 2026, for the 120th anniversary of the recognition by the Court of Cassation of the captain’s innocence. “Thus, Alfred Dreyfus and those who fought through him for freedom, equality and brotherhood will continue to be the example that must inspire our conduct”underlines the president.
Dreyfus was raised to the rank of “brigade general” by the assembly
On June 2, Alfred Dreyfus was posthumously raised to the rank of brigadier general after a unanimous vote at the National Assembly. This ballot allowed “Repair an error”had declared the Renaissance deputy Charles Sitzenstuhl, since despite the recognition of his innocence, the officer had never been reinstated “To the rank which came back to him by right”. In the wake of this vote, his great-grandson Michel Dreyfus had judged “Completely justified” May his ancestor be pantheonized.
“The Dreyfus affair” Tear French opinion for more than a decade against a background of anti-Semitism and politico-military conspiracy. From 1894, the year of his arrest, on July 12, 1906, the date of the judgment putting an end to the case, Alfred Dreyfus will have experienced two trials, imprisonment and the prison on the island of the devil in Guyana.
“Alas, the parentage of the heirs of anti -repurchase, anti -republicans and anti -Semites from the beginning and the middle of the 20th century has never died out”continues the head of state. “We know that we must always prove vigilance and perseverance against these old anti -Semitic demons caused by hatred. And today more than ever “he adds.
Between January and May 2025, 504 anti -Semitic acts were identified in France, according to the Ministry of the Interior, a drop of 24 % over a year but a doubling compared to the same period in 2013.
More information to follow …