French philosopher and former elected official in the National Assembly for the French Communist Party.
Garaudy is controversial for his anti-zionist views. He converted to Islam in 1982.
Born to Catholic and Jewish atheist parents in Marseille, Garaudy converted at age 14 and became a Protestant. During World War II, Garaudy joined the French Resistance, for which he was imprisoned in Djelfa, Algeria, as a prisoner of war of Vichy France. Following the war, Garaudy joined the French Communist Party. As a political candidate he succeeded in being elected to the National Assembly and eventually rose to the position of deputy speaker, and later senator.
