Ahmed Bensaada unveils "ELNET", an investigation into the pro-Israel lobby in France
Algerian essayist Ahmed Bensaada is presenting his latest book, ELNET, le lobby israélien au cœur du pouvoir français ("ELNET: the Israeli lobby at the heart of French power"), at the 29th Algiers International Book Fair (SILA 2026). Published by ANEP, the work is one of the publisher's three headline releases this year.
The fair opened on Wednesday, October 28, at the Palais des Expositions in Pins Maritimes (Safex), Algiers, and runs until November 7 under the slogan "Tomorrow between the covers of a book." Senate President Azzouz Nasri inaugurated this edition on behalf of the President of the Republic. Some 1,567 exhibitors from 51 countries are taking part, with Saudi Arabia as guest of honour.
The National Communication, Publishing and Advertising Company (ANEP) has set up its stand in the "Palestine Pavilion," where it offers more than 700 titles. Alongside Bensaada's book, the publisher is highlighting Mostefa Khiati's historical work Révoltés pour la dignité, la résistance algérienne de 1830 à 1954, and L'Ombre de l'or, the memoir of Olympic gymnastics champion Kaylia Nemour. ANEP has announced regular book-signing sessions at its stand throughout the fair, and a signing with Ahmed Bensaada has been announced.
The book takes its title from the European Leadership Network (ELNET), an organization founded in 2007 and registered in Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy and Israel. ELNET presents itself as a promoter of strategic dialogue between Europe and Israel; it has described itself as the most influential pro-Israel advocacy organization in Europe, and some of its leaders have called it an "AIPAC for Europe."
In France, ELNET has been registered as an interest representative with the National Assembly since November 2024. Its activities — including trips to Israel organized for French elected officials and conferences held under the "Agir ensemble" banner — have been the subject of investigations by French outlets such as Mediapart and Blast. Mediapart also reported that the French branch received a grant from the Israeli Prime Minister's office in 2020. In June 2026, the weekly Marianne reported that France's High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP) was considering listing ELNET among interest representatives acting on behalf of a foreign power.
The subject is not new for Bensaada. In a 2025 analysis published on his website, he argued that the French campaign of support for writer Boualem Sansal relied in part on figures connected to ELNET France and "Agir ensemble," and concluded that the pro-Israel lobby and the Quai d'Orsay were the main drivers of French media attacks against Algeria. The new book appears to extend that line of inquiry into the relationship between this lobby and French political circles. Its detailed contents have not yet been made public.
A researcher, teacher and political analyst, Ahmed Bensaada is a regular at the Algiers fair. His previous books include Arabesque américaine, on the role of the United States in the Arab uprisings, Qui sont ces ténors autoproclamés du hirak algérien ? (2020), and Kamel Daoud : Cologne, contre-enquête, first published in 2016 and reissued by ANEP. His work regularly sparks debate: his 2020 book on the Hirak, in particular, drew sharp criticism in part of the Algerian press, with some unjustifiably accusing him of seeking to discredit the protest movement — a charge he rejects.
Beyond his book, Bensaada is also taking part in the fair's intellectual programme. On Thursday, October 29, he joined Mohamed Khodja and Sudanese writers Hussein Makki and Mohamed Salah Omar for a round table titled "Where is the world heading?", moderated by Ahmed Kateb, which addressed current geopolitical shifts.
ELNET, le lobby israélien au cœur du pouvoir français (ANEP, 2026) is available at the ANEP stand, Palestine Pavilion, SILA 2026, Safex – Pins Maritimes, Algiers, until November 7, open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.