A Letter from Philippe de Villiers

The day after the now infamous demonstration of February 26, Philippe de Villiers, President of the MPF Party (Movement for France) issued this letter of thanks to those who had expressed their indignation at his removal from the march.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Response to the thousands of e-mails received since Sunday.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

THANK YOU.

Thank you for your attention, your kindness, your discretion. Thank you for having taken the time to write to me from the four corners of France, and also from the entire world. I have indeed received thousands of e-mails since Sunday.

I am profoundly moved by what you have to say about the violence committed against me at Sunday's march in Paris, since I had been invited by CRIF. I received a hateful reception from extreme left-wing groups and from SOS Racism in particular, protesting my presence in this large gathering honoring the memory of young Ilan. What a fine lesson in tolerance these groups gave, when I had simply come there - like everyone else - to assure the Jewish community of my sympathy.

I was the only one applauded Thursday evening at the La Victoire Synagogue in Paris, and I was the only one chased out of yesterday's demonstration, after being insulted and shoved...Because I have the courage to denounce the rampant Islamization of French society.

As the son of a resistance fighter deported to Lübeck, I have nothing to learn from these extreme-leftist factions that have, for the past 20 years, encouraged a new anti-Semitism, an extreme form of anti-French racism.

Now more than ever, I will continue the fight to defend the unity of the Republic confronted with Islamic sectarianism.

Your messages, your "outbursts", your emotions comfort me in my struggle and go straight to my heart, I assure you. Once again, I must warmly thank you.