Quenelle (gesture)

Quenelle gesture

The quenelle (French pronunciation: [kə.nɛl]) is a gesture created and popularized by French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala. He first used it in 2005 in his sketch entitled "1905" about French secularism, and has used it since in a wide variety of contexts.[1] The quenelle became popular, with many photos posted to the Internet showing individuals posing while performing quenelles at mundane places (wedding parties, high school classes, etc.).[2][3]

In late 2013, following its use by professional footballer Nicolas Anelka during a match, Jewish leaders, anti-racism groups, and public officials in France have interpreted it as an inverted Nazi salute and as an expression of antisemitism.[2] French officials have sought to ban the gesture due to its perceived subtext of antisemitism.[4]

  1. ^ "Dieudonné fait fructifier" [Dieudonné makes his quenelle a scandal]. Le Républicain Lorrain (in French). January 4, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Concern over quenelle gesture grows in France". The New York Times. January 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Hollande supports banning Dieudonne". i24news. December 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "Quenelle may breach anti-hate laws, French official indicates". JTA. January 2, 2014.