Prefer Jewish News on Google
Celebrated French novelist revealed to have published Shoah denial 30 years ago
Yann Moix cancels promotion of latest novel after being exposed as having created caricatures mocking the Holocaust and texts questioning if it happened
One of France’s most celebrated novelists published 30 years ago caricatures mocking the Holocaust and texts denying that the Holocaust happened.
Yann Moix, whose first novel won a prestigious Goncourt Prize in 1996, apologised this week for his actions and suspended the promotion of his latest novel, “Orleans,” over the discovery.
The weekly L’Express published an expose last week detailing Moix’s contributions in 1989-90 to a self-published periodical he called Ushoahia — a mashup of the Hebrew word for Holocaust and the name of a French television travel program.
Moix drew one caricature of a man wearing a striped prisoner uniform while holding up a can emblazoned with the words “Coca-Crema,” short for crematorium. He wrote: “You can beat the Jew!” and drew Stars of David around the caricature.
Another drawing featured similar caricatures performing like a rock band outside a Nazi-like camp encircled with barbed wire.
“Everybody knows the camps never existed,” a caption alongside that caricature read.
On Sunday, Moix during a talk show appearance apologised to Jews and “anyone who considers themselves more human than animal” for “the shocking, degrading drawings.” Today, he added, “I wouldn’t shake the hand that drew them.” He has since stopped speaking to the media about the affair.
Amid many condemnations, Moix was defended by one of France’s best-known Jewish thinkers, Bernard-Henri Levy. A frequent critic of antisemites, Levy has mentored Moix since 1993.
“For few, including Moix, I know, change comes from authentic self amelioration, effort of thought and honest learning,” Levy wrote in Le Point.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
