Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments American Arabs
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster American Arabs
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League American Arabs
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Activism
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP): Human Rights
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders Activism
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Resolution Recognizing Eid al-Fitr Christian & Muslim
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  American Arabs
  • Vote Yes campaign button, Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Low Arab early voting turnout in important Orland Park elections American Arabs
  • Aziz Shihab, long time Arab American journalist and author.
    A memorial to a great Arab American Journalist, Aziz Shihab American Arabs
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
El-Mouradia-Palace, courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

Algeria-France Relations: Love & Hate Mode

Posted on July 9, 2017July 9, 2017 By Abdennour Toumi 2 Comments on Algeria-France Relations: Love & Hate Mode
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Algeria-France Relations: Love & Hate Mode

Love-hate relationship between the two nations, story lines still make headlines.

By Abdennour Toumi

head shotThe Algerian-born French writer, Jules Roy, wrote once “… if the French Empire had applied the motto of the French Republic, it would not have lost Algeria.” This year July fifth marked the fifty-fifth Anniversary of Algerian Independence.

President Bouteflika in his written speech on that day congratulated his fellow citizens on their celebration of their independence and asked France to apologize for its colonization’s atrocities “…our people still demand from France to acknowledge the suffering caused to millions of Algerians…”said the President.

Speaking from Algiers in February, 2017, then-candidate Macron described French atrocities as “crimes against humanity,” which sparked outrage from the far-right and the right political leaders and the Parisian elite. Before him, in December, 2012, then-President Hollande, during his official visit to Algiers, acknowledged his country’s occupation was “unjust and brutal,” but didn’t speak about apology.

In this love-hate relationship between the two nations, story lines still make headlines and slow, ping-pong exchanges between Algiers and Paris regarding Algiers’ insistence that France apologize for its crimes and atrocities committed during its 132 years of colonization and France’s reticence to do so.

El-Mouradia-Palace, courtesy of Abdennour Toumi
El-Mouradia-Palace, courtesy of Abdennour Toumi

 

The nationalist conservative element in Algeria uses this issue as a means of demonstrating its patriotism and Arabism at every national liberation war holiday, i.e., November 1st and July 5th, to de-legitimize and discredit Algerian liberals and Francophiles. They persist further just to upset Paris, directing military and economic interests to Washington, Berlin, Moscow, or Beijing, and “by-passing” the French.

While political opportunists in Algiers are trying to score empty political points, the people “get it” and get it well because they know the historiography between the two countries is very real. Algerians still use French colloquial as a tool of daily communications.

However, if French is not a semantic language among the liberal elite and the bourgeois milieu. Algerian Prime ministers and cabinet members, high public servants and military officers even sports leaders alike use French on any public declaration occasion before the media and the masses to appear educated and “civilized.”

Algerian embassy in France, Paris.
Algerian embassy in France, Paris. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Further, if Paris would lift visa restrictions tomorrow, millions of Algerians would land in the southern cities of France. Let the emotional factor aside, the reality-check shows the large majority of the population was born after July, 1962, but the history curriculum that is taught is that dictated by the regime.

Those interested in a first-hand account of the Algerian resistance can get it from the expressive faces of their parents and grandparents or read credible academic works by the academic historians of the revolution, Mohammed Harbi, Benjamin Stora and Yves Courrière, writers who themselves lived through the events.

It seems silly when one hears that Algiers wants Paris to present an official apology like that which former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi presented to al-Gadhafi in 2008 regarding Italian fascist crimes in Libya. As a result Libyans paid a heavy price for that symbolic gesture; the Libyan opposition begged Rome to overthrow the al-Gadhafi regime using NATO’s air force as a cover-up.

On the other hand, Dr. Abdelhamid Mehri, an intellectual and liberation war hero, former Ambassador, Minister and FLN Chairman once asked why didn’t Hanoi ask Paris or Washington to apologize to the Vietnamese people for crimes committed during their occupation of Vietnam?

Algerians fought for their dignity and identity and to preserve the sovereignty of their native soil. They strongly rejected any special administrative status from Paris. They did not negotiate for a seat in the French Parliament. Instead, first the Algerian elite, then the people themselves, rose up against the tyranny that threatened their very existence. As Professor Belhadi, Professor of History at Algiers I University, put it, “they (Algerians) fought for every inch of their soil to be a sovereign nation and a state.” So why should they, humiliated militarily and brought down geopolitically, ask for an apology now?

A serious, credible witness from one of the southern cities told me that the politicians who are beating the drum in Algiers over the issue of an apology from France, are, at the same time, coming here for their bi-yearly check-up and medical treatment, sending their children to study, and their wives to shop in France. 

Some Algerian diplomats, he continued, at the termination of their service, leave their wives and children behind hoping for them to get a ten-years’ residency card and eventually French citizenship.

So many Algerian immigrants are opting for French citizenship to the point that Le Pen adherents in former-President Sarkozy’s party entered a motion to question this right of Algerians. During former-President Chirac’s visit in 2003 people in Algiers chanted “President Chirac, we need a visa, we want to leave…”

The same request was repeated years later during former-President Hollande’s visit when he was welcomed with open arms and people asking for visas and to lift visa restriction.

Every day people die in the Mediterranean, embarking in death-boats, in search of a better life on the European continent.

The evaluation of the past should not stop with memory alone, but perhaps the transmission of that memory and the lessons it bears can be delivered to the young, who are so lost in the hypocrisy of the times.

They are the future and they know that both countries must establish a sincere relationship based on trust, mutual respect and shared interests, with economic and academic cooperation, and surely on the issue of national security.

For example, consider the persistent menace of the AQMI/ISO. Years since, raids in Mali against al-Qae’eda militants in the Sahel camps. led officially by the French army, are proof of solid military and Intelligence cooperation between Algiers and Paris. Hence, as the Libyan and the Malian quagmire depends, Paris is desperately looking to Algiers to save its face from this dilemma, which former-President Sarkozy generated in the region.

Algerians are known for their neef (nose, “nerve”) in asking for an apology from France. They are profoundly proud of their victory in the war for independence. Symbolically they have a right to question the May 8, 1945 massacres by France and tortures during the liberation war of 1954-1962.

In sum, the real acknowledgment has been made, but politicians do not interpret it that way. Professor Assia Djebbar, a daughter of Algeria, lived and studied under the rules of the colonization. Yet she fought vehemently for her country with her pen, using the language of the occupier. 

In 2005 she was elected a member of the prestigious French Academy, the first writer from North Africa to have that honor.

So, this is the 21st century preamble of the Algerian-French history page, and what Algerian elite and the street would hope to see from France then and now — for Algerian people justice and equality, from their leaders, good governance and accountability.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi:
- France correspondent for The Arab Daily News.
- www.bareed-areej.com Editor-in-Chief
رئيس تحرير مجلة بريد الأريج
- Political consultant at IMPR a Think-Tank based in Ankara, Turkey.
- Member at the European Observatory for Arabic Language Teaching based in Paris, France.
- Affiliated with Sociology of Islam Journal and contributor at Middle East Studies / International Studies, Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Center, Portland State University in Portland, OR.

EDUCATION: Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) in Political Science from Toulouse University I, France. Master’s degree in Law from Algiers University, Algeria.

Email im at: nourhty@gmail.com
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Latest posts by Abdennour Toumi (see all)
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is the Neither-Peace-nor-Security As-sumption Dominating Again? - June 7, 2021
  • Algeria: “I Can See Clearly Now” - August 5, 2019
  • Majesty Mohammed VI and General Gaïd Salah Tear Down This Wall! - July 29, 2019

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Abdennour Toumi, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, North Africa, Opinion Tags:Algeria, France

Post navigation

Previous Post: Muslim American enters Ogden, Utah City Council race
Next Post: Israel’s Nuclear Whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu Sentenced and Threatened

Related Posts

  • Bullets fired at Dome of Orland Park Illinois mosque American Arabs
  • Lifta Palestine. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    The fate of Lifta portends the future of Ramallah and Bethlehem and more Bloggers
  • Arab American veteran showcased during Immigrant Heritage Month American Arabs
  • Like an Eagle for the USS LIBERTY American Arabs
  • Adam (played by Shady Srour) in the film "Holy Air. Photo courtesy of Holy Air
    Interview with the filmmakers of “Holy Air” Arab World
  • Three Arab films receive Oscar Nominations: The Square, Karama Has No Walls and Omar Entertainment

More Related Articles

Hillary Clinton's confused Tweet has become the mantra of her disappointed followers but a strategy for her continued failure. Love Trumps Hate was tweeted out by her on Dec. 8, 2015 “Love Trumps Hate” only fueling his success Bloggers
Ilhan Omar and The Progressives Arab World
Would the Arabs be Free Without a State? Abdennour Toumi
Rally in Algiers, March 15. Courtesy L'EL-Biaroise Houra Algerian Islamists: From Political Reality to Dialectical Crisis Identity  Abdennour Toumi
Remember the USS Liberty’s MD in honor of National Dr. Day 2014 American Arabs
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al-Saud. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Saudi Crown Prince meets Trump, Congressmen, Senators Arab News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    Lebanese parliament afraid to vote for next president
    June 1, 2023
  • Hezbollah billboards in Lebanon celebrate Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah and the righteous war against Israeli extremism and fanaticism. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
    May 12, 2023
  • The term Arab will be meaningless if we don’t stand behind it and choose “MENA” instead
    April 29, 2023
  • IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Ending Israel’s occupation might save its democracy
    April 26, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
    May 18, 2023
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
    May 10, 2023
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community
    May 5, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP):
    May 2, 2023
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders
    April 27, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

POPULAR POSTS

  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President? Who will choose the next Lebanese President? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Since September of last year the Lebanese parliament has ... posted on May 12, 2023
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will host a ... posted on May 5, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and ... posted on May 10, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas ... posted on May 18, 2023
  • Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  Ramadan is an important month-long religious observance for Muslims who observe it by fasting ... posted on April 4, 2023

Recent Posts

  • Lebanese parliament afraid to vote for next president
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
  • Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme