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The attack seemed almost inappropriate. On Monday, National Rally (RN) MEP Malika Sorel openly criticized Culture Minister Rachida Dati over a photo taken in her office, where a veiled woman appears. This pretext quickly took on a political and identity-based dimension, especially since the minister, during a visit to Laayoune, had just symbolically marked France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
In a tweet sharing an article about Rachida Dati's visit to the Saharan provinces, Malika Sorel expressed outrage at the presence of a portrait of a veiled woman in the minister's office. The photo in question, however, is of Rachida Dati's mother. The controversy, laced with Islamophobia, immediately sparked strong reactions on social media, where many users condemned the attack as an inappropriate personal assault.
Poor André Malraux, the great Minister of Culture of General de Gaulle!
— Malika Sorel (@MalikaSorel) February 17, 2025
Behind her desk as a representative of French Culture, @datirachida has placed, prominently, the photo of a woman wearing a veil.
? Question: Was King Hassan II telling the truth in front of Anne… pic.twitter.com/2Y2cujEPc4
Beyond the religious question, the timing of this criticism raises questions. By attacking Rachida Dati on the very day of her visit to Laayoune, Malika Sorel seems to be drawing attention to a broader context, where Franco-Moroccan relations are under close scrutiny. Since Emmanuel Macron and his government recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, Franco-Algerian relations have grown particularly tense, especially amid efforts by certain Algerian influencers to destabilize France.
However, the RN had expressed support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara long before President Macron's decision. As a result, several observers have suggested that Malika Sorel's stance may be influenced by personal considerations related to her Algerian origin.
