Simone Rodan-Benzaquen
ON THE RECORD · 6 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“Students have reason to be angry about overcrowded classrooms and absent teachers.”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen told Fox News Digital that students have reason to be angry about overcrowded classrooms and absent teachers.
“If the unrest drives voters toward the far right, he can hope to emerge as the leader of the opposition. If he succeeds in mobilizing enough voters himself, he could reach the presidency. Either prospect gives him a reason to keep the confrontation going. Neither gives him much incentive to lower the temperature.”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen said either outcome of the unrest gives Mélenchon reason to keep the confrontation going and little incentive to lower the temperature.
“French students need their teachers to show up to class, and their parents need to know they will be safe at school. But [LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon] is not interested in these goals.”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen said French students need teachers and safety but LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon is not interested in those goals.
“encouraging the citizens to see their schools as a front in a larger political battle, one whose real prize is the presidency.”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen said Mélenchon is encouraging citizens to see schools as a front in a larger political battle whose real prize is the presidency.
“What does Gaza have to do with a shortage of teachers in France? I’ll tell you what: [the far-left La France Insoumise party] has spent years making hostility to Israel a central part of its appeal to young voters. Bringing that cause into the school protests helps fuel the racial dynamics and turn a demand for better classrooms into a much broader confrontation with the government,”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen said the far-left La France Insoumise party has made hostility to Israel central to its appeal and is fueling broader confrontation through school protests.
“No matter how the protests play out, Mélenchon will likely benefit,”
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-07
Rodan-Benzaquen said Mélenchon will likely benefit no matter how the protests play out.