This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/31/photo-french-minister-quenelle

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Photo shows French minister with men performing quenelle Photo shows French minister with men performing quenelle
(about 3 hours later)
France's interior minister, Manuel Valls, who is seeking to ban shows by the standup comedian Dieudonné, faced embarrassment as a picture emerged showing him apparently unaware that a group of young people with him were performing the reverse Nazi salute popularised by the comic. France's interior minister, Manuel Valls, who is seeking to ban shows by the standup comedian Dieudonné, faced embarrassment as pictures emerged showing him apparently unaware that a group of young people with him were performing the reverse Nazi salute popularised by the comic.
Dieudonné is embarking on a nationwide tour from 9 January, but several venues have pulled out amid the recent publicity over antisemitic comments.Dieudonné is embarking on a nationwide tour from 9 January, but several venues have pulled out amid the recent publicity over antisemitic comments.
The photograph, taken during a visit to the southern region of Aveyron in September, shows Valls looking straight into the camera. Beside him are at least five young men performing the gesture known as the quenelle, with one arm down and the other crossed over the chest. A photograph, taken during a visit to the southern region of Aveyron in September, shows Valls looking straight into the camera. Beside him are at least five young men performing the gesture known as the quenelle, with one arm down and the other crossed over the chest.
The gesture, which has been condemned by French politicians as antisemitic, has been Dieudonné's trademark salute for the past five years. He claims it is anti-establishment.The gesture, which has been condemned by French politicians as antisemitic, has been Dieudonné's trademark salute for the past five years. He claims it is anti-establishment.
The picture was displayed on the websites of several French newspapers and magazines on Tuesday. Le Figaro and Le Parisien were among those to publish it online, although not in their print editions. The photograph has been widely shared by supporters of Dieudonné. The picture was displayed on the websites of several French newspapers and magazines on Tuesday. Le Figaro and Le Parisien were among those to publish it online, although not in their print editions. The photograph has been widely shared by supporters of Dieudonné and other versions of the same occasion have come to light.
Valls told RTL radio on Tuesday that the comedian, whom he called "a petty salesman of hatred", was "obsessed with a hatred of Jews". He said he was aware of Dieudonné's success on the internet and in his shows, but "his spectators need to be aware".Valls told RTL radio on Tuesday that the comedian, whom he called "a petty salesman of hatred", was "obsessed with a hatred of Jews". He said he was aware of Dieudonné's success on the internet and in his shows, but "his spectators need to be aware".
Paris magistrates announced on Monday that charges may be laid against the comedian for inciting racial hatred after he suggested after a Jewish journalist interviewed him last week that it was a shame the Nazi gas chambers were no longer working.Paris magistrates announced on Monday that charges may be laid against the comedian for inciting racial hatred after he suggested after a Jewish journalist interviewed him last week that it was a shame the Nazi gas chambers were no longer working.
On Tuesday the Toulouse state prosecutor said he was investigating a photo showing a young man performing the quenelle in front of the Jewish school in south-west France where an Islamist gunman killed a teacher and three pupils in March 2012.On Tuesday the Toulouse state prosecutor said he was investigating a photo showing a young man performing the quenelle in front of the Jewish school in south-west France where an Islamist gunman killed a teacher and three pupils in March 2012.
The prosecutor is trying to track down those responsible for the picture, which was posted online this month. Dieudonné is due to perform in Toulouse on 22 February.The prosecutor is trying to track down those responsible for the picture, which was posted online this month. Dieudonné is due to perform in Toulouse on 22 February.
After Dieudonné was warned by Valls that his shows risked being banned, the French striker Nicolas Anelka performed a quenelle on the pitch during a Premier League game in England last Saturday, saying it was in support of his friend. His actions triggered widespread condemnation, particularly in France, leading the footballer on Monday to say that he would not repeat the salute.After Dieudonné was warned by Valls that his shows risked being banned, the French striker Nicolas Anelka performed a quenelle on the pitch during a Premier League game in England last Saturday, saying it was in support of his friend. His actions triggered widespread condemnation, particularly in France, leading the footballer on Monday to say that he would not repeat the salute.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.