Identity Crisis: What Stands Behind the Violent Riots in France?

The riots in France, which began as student protests over a shortage of teachers, have escalated into violent clashes revealing a deep identity crisis. The author argues that this involves a young generation that does not identify with the state, parallel societies formed from mass immigration, and an alliance between the far-left and Islamists. France, he says, is paying for past decisions and facing a demographic transformation threatening its national identity.

The riots in France, which began as student protests over a shortage of teachers and budgets, have spread across the country and even to Belgium, turning into violent clashes involving property damage, arson, blockades, and numerous injuries. The author, Dr. Eddie Cohen, argues that this is a deep identity crisis beyond the immediate cause. According to him, a young generation is growing up in France that does not identify with the state's identity, religion, or symbols, and parallel societies have formed due to mass immigration. He accuses the far-left party LFI of forming an alliance with Islamists and exploiting the protest. The author notes that nearly half of France's immigrant population was born in Africa or the Middle East, and that France believed citizenship would lead to integration, but in practice a passport does not grant identity. He describes the violence as anarchy and compares it to the Kaplan protests in Israel. The author claims the media ignores the essence of the crisis and continues to call the protesters "French students," while their loyalty is not to France. He notes that Marine Le Pen of the right (RN) is the main beneficiary of the events.