#Crif - Press release following the decision to rename a street "Nakba Lane" in Paris suburb

On June 12th, Crif learnt about the inauguration of a new street name called Nakba Lane by the mayor of the city of Bezons. The street sign was accompanied with a second inscription in Arabic, as well as with a comment specifically qualifying David Ben Gurion of "war crimes". The President of Crif, Francis Kalifat immediately got in touch with the Chief of Staff of the Home Secretary. The latter contacted the Prefect of the Val-d'Oise department who sent a letter to the mayor of Bezons. The withdrawal of street sign was handled by the police forces who removed it in the afternoon.

Crif Press Release - June 12th 2018

The mayor of Bezons has gone overboard!

The mayor of Bezons - a city lacated in paris suburb - organized a ceremony to inaugurate a new street sign in the name of Nakba - Nakba Lane - (with a public sign in Arabic). This ceremony and the inscriptions on the sign are shocking and unacceptable, accusing David Ben Gurion of "war crimes" and that he would have called up to the eviction of the Arabs, egregious accusations that are historically false. For Francis Kalifat, President of Crif, " these statements are false, shocking, irresponsible and dangerous. They encourage the anti-semitic acts of violence by justifying them on a historic level”.

Crif immediately asked for the immediate removal of these street signs due to their high level of controversy and the fact that they promote the hatred of the Jewish community.

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In a letter sent to the mayor of Bezons, the Prefect of Val-d'Oise wrote in particular:

"The apposition of these street signs and the comment which they contain, establish a break with the principles of republican neutrality. [...] Accordingly, I ask you to remove these signs immediately upon the reception of this claim." [...]

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On the very same day, Crif delegate for the Val-d'Oise department, René Taieb, also displayed his anger and disapointment to the Prefect concerning this issue.