FRENCH socialists hit back yesterday at slurs suggesting the left shares the anti-semitic prejudices of the right, after zionist groups forced France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon out of a march against anti-semitism on Wednesday.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (Crif) had said Mr Melenchon was as unwelcome at the event as National Front leader Marine Le Pen because of the supposed prevalence of anti-semitic views on the left and far right.

The march was called in honour of murdered 85-year-old Mireille Knoll, who police believe was killed because she was Jewish.

Crif’s stance was attacked by Ms Knoll’s son Daniel, who said everyone should unite against anti-semitism. But Mr Melenchon was booed and told to “fuck off” when he joined the march.

Mr Melenchon went to a parallel street, saying that the march should not be diverted by a row over his presence.

“What is important is the message — that every Jew knows they are under the protection of the entire national community, and that our reserves of love for our people will never be exhausted,” he said.

Rabbi Yann Boissiere said the treatment of Mr Melenchon was outrageous.

“We must absolutely not put on the same plane the National Front, a fascist party whose anti-semitic culture is proven, with the rebellious parties,” he said.

In France’s l’Humanite newspaper, Audrey Loussouarn said the far-right Jewish Defence League, known for racist attacks on mosques and Muslims and seen as terrorist by the government, had forced Mr Melenchon out while providing “physical protection” for Le Pen supporter Gilbert Collard, who it described as “a great defender of the Jewish state.”