Rabbi Menachem Margolin, head of the Brussels-based European Jewish Association (EJA), a body which represents thousands of Jews across Europe,blasted on Wednesday French Presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen who suggested Jews should stop wearing the kippah as a way of defeating radical Islam.

Le Pen, who is president of the extreme-right National Front party, made the comments in an interview to Israel’s Channel 2.

In a statement, Rabbi Margolin urged all kippah wearing Jews ‘’to ignore this crass and barrel scrapping bit of electioneering.’’

‘’This is the absolute reason that people should be wary of the populist snake oil salespeople currently trying to con European voters,’’ he said, stressing that ‘’Jews have proudly worn the kippah for generations, it is a sign of our submission and respect for the allmighty.’’

He added, ‘’ If Mrs Le Pen thinks that we will stop wearing it to appease her sensibilities she is gravely mistaken. If she believes that Jews will be conned by her diversionary tactic of using radical Islam as a reason for doing so, she is really scrapping a new low.’’