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Debris outside Charlie Hebdo's offices following the November 2011 attack. Wikipedia

Majority in France approve of publication of anti-Islam cartoons

According to an Ifop poll published by Charlie Hebdo, 59 percent of those polled believe that the newspapers were right to publish, in 2006, these controversial cartoons. The trial of suspects of the January 2015 attacks started on Wednesday.

Published: September 2, 2020, 10:49 am

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    This new poll represents a 21 point increase, compared to the result of another poll, one conducted in 2006 for La Croix.

    François Kraus, director of the political department of Ifop, said that “a number of voices were raised – including at the highest level of the State like [former Prime Minister] Dominique de Villepin – to criticize the editorial choice of Charlie Hebdo”. However, since then, “the impact of the attacks has undoubtedly contributed to changing opinion on the subject,” Kraus added.

    At the same time, 29 percent of those questioned today say they are outraged that the newspapers published these cartoons at the time. In 2006, 36 percent of those polled said they were outraged.

    The Ifop survey also gauged the opinion of French Muslims: 69 percent believe that the publication of controversial cartoons in 2006 was “an unnecessary provocation” while two thirds of French people of Muslim faith also believe a blasphemy trial would be justified.

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