Minister of Foreign affairs and Development Laurent Fabius declared "I condemn the kidnapping of three young Israelis in the West Bank and shares the concerns of families and Israeli authorities. I call for their immediate release. All efforts must converge towards this goal. France is particularly concerned about the increasing violence during the recent days in the West Bank and Gaza. 

The UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, has learnt with dismay of the destruction of the historical synagogue of Eliyahu Hanabi in Damascus.

“The destruction of the oldest synagogue in Syria is a new blow against its religious and cultural heritage, which has already suffered tremendous damage.

Four people murdered after shooting at Jewish Museum in Brussels, Belgium. Two of the four victims confirmed to be Israelis. Two Jews assaulted in front of synagogue in Paris.

In response, David Koschitzky, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued the following statement: “The Jewish community of Canada is deeply saddened and appalled by the senseless loss of life in Brussels yesterday afternoon. 

Dear Roger

On behalf of the Jewish community of South Africa, we wish to record our outrage over the vicious assault of two Jewish worshipers outside a synagogue in Paris on Saturday evening and to assure the French Jewish community of our support and concern during this difficult time. 

Published in WJC official site, May 26, 2014

“The surge of far-right and anti-Semitic parties in a number of countries is a shock and a reason for great worry. European leaders must address this problem urgently and come up with a strategy to fight extremism. The future of European Jewry is a stake if these forces are not reined in.

French President François Hollande will meet world leaders at next summer’s 70th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings, including US President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and Putin.