Defamatory remarks targeting a Palestinian organization regarding its participation in a cross-stitch festival in Alsace

A cross-stitch festival was held from October 23 to 26, 2025, at the Maison Rurale de l'Outre Forêt in Kutzenhausen, Alsace. The association “Culture de Palestine,” which has participated in the event for several years, was invited to attend; it typically exhibits embroidered Palestinian dresses and offers Palestinian products—including ceramics, handicrafts, and books—to the public. A week before the event, CRIF Alsace sent a defamatory letter to the organizers, as well as to local elected officials and the right-wing member of parliament, to “draw attention” to the presence of this Palestinian association at the festival. For example, CRIF insinuated that donations received by this association were “funneled to terrorist organizations.” The Culture de Palestine association has retained a lawyer to urge the CRIF members responsible for the email to refute the defamatory claims and apologize to the recipients.