Karim Benzema controversy grows in France! Le Pen attacks Minister: 'All Islamist ideologies should be banned'

Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen has joined the debate between Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and national football player Karim Benzema following the attacks in Gaza, directing harsh criticism at both sides.

Darmanin's accusation that footballer Benzema is linked to the 'Muslim Brotherhood' has heated up the debates on Islam in France.

REMINDED THAT HE HAS NOT BANNED IT

According to euronews, Marine Le Pen, who accused Benzema of being "pleased with Islamist fundamentalism," interpreted the Interior Minister's criticism of the national footballer without the government banning the Muslim Brotherhood organization as a "distraction."

Le Pen stated, "The accusation of Benzema, who doesn't even live in France anymore, by the Interior Minister is a distraction at a time when we are facing major problems."

ATTACKED THE MINISTER

Reminding that the Interior Minister accused Benzema of being linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, Le Pen said, "We have never heard Mr. Darmanin ask for the Muslim Brotherhood to be banned. Because before criticizing a person for sharing an ideology, you still need to express your own stance on this ideology," and called for all Islamist ideologies in the country to be banned through legislation.

Marine Le Pen also accused the football star of being "clearly pleased with the most radical Islamism, which some might call Islamist fundamentalism."

THE POLEMIC BETWEEN BENZEMA AND DARMANIN

Through his lawyer, Benzema announced yesterday that he would file a lawsuit against Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who accused him of being linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a written statement to the press, Hugues Vigier, the lawyer for "Ballon d'Or" winner Karim Benzema, opposed Darmanin's statement, saying, "This is false! Karim Benzema has never had the slightest relationship with this organization. Benzema chose to live in Saudi Arabia, which has declared the organization in question a terrorist group."

The written statement noted that a defamation lawsuit against the minister is being considered because Benzema has no connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, and stated that disparaging language was used, implying that the famous footballer has a bad reputation.

WHAT DID THE INTERIOR MINISTER SAY?

In an interview broadcast on the French news channel, Darmanin said, "We have closed 1,100 Islamist organizations. And it has particularly caught my attention in recent weeks. As we all know, Benzema is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood."

Stating that France intervened against the Muslim Brotherhood organization because it created a "jihadi environment," Darmanin did not provide evidence for his claims regarding Benzema.