View from abroad: In Defense of France’s Burkini Ban

Iain Martin, editor of the British free-market journal Reaction, says his initial response to France’s attempt to ban burkinis on its beaches was “that of every good liberal sap: Wear what you like.” But on reflection, he notes that “France is under attack” from ISIS in what is “as close as you can get” to war “without a formal declaration of hostilities.” In such circumstances, he asks, “who the hell are we to get all pious and pompous with French mayors and their citizenry when they want to assert their muscular secularism?” Now lawyers in French courts are “doing battle over definitions of freedom.” Says Martin: “Try looking for that in Saudi Arabia and you won’t get very far.”