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The Express Gazette
Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Douglas Murray: France Faces Existential Threat From Those Who 'Hate Them'

Commentator Douglas Murray warns France risks losing its identity if it fails to address internal threats.

US Politics • 4 hours ago
Douglas Murray: France Faces Existential Threat From Those Who 'Hate Them'

Commentator Douglas Murray has issued a stark warning regarding the future of France, asserting that the nation faces an existential threat from internal elements who harbor hatred towards it. Murray suggests that without decisive action to confront and remove these individuals, France could be reduced to merely a historical name.

He draws a distinction between contemporary protests and what he characterizes as a long-standing tradition of rebellion. Since the General Strike of 1968, Murray argues, there has been a persistent narrative that protests in France are a customary form of dissent against aspects of the French system or broader societal injustices. However, he contends that the current unrest is fueled by a different kind of force.

![A street in flames in Marseille... the appalling riots in France this week are led by far-Left activists, anti-capitalists, green activists and Palestine fetishists, writes Douglas Murray]( "A street in flames in Marseille

According to Murray, the recent riots in France were spearheaded by a coalition of far-left activists, anti-capitalists, green activists, and what he describes as "Palestine fetishists." He implies that these groups, by their actions and ideologies, represent a threat to the fabric of French society.

Murray criticizes the French ruling class, suggesting a tendency to ignore warnings, regardless of their source. He points to figures like the Right-wing National Rally leader Marine Le Pen and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, whose concerns about the nation's direction are seemingly met with silence. This inaction, in Murray's view, exacerbates the underlying problems.

The commentator's remarks suggest a deep concern about the direction of French society and the potential consequences of failing to address what he perceives as corrosive internal forces. He implies that a passive approach to these challenges will inevitably lead to a significant and irreversible decline for the nation.


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