By Laurent Fabius and Bernard Cazeneuve, published in the New York Times July 10, 2014
Few democratic societies are as rich in populations of diverse origins as France’s. This is one of the many traits France shares with the United States. Both are countries of immigrants where citizenship is universal and does not depend on one’s ethnic or religious origins.
France, like other countries of the European Union, suffers from so-called “violent radical engagement,” whereby its citizens have been known to join militant activists abroad. One prime example of this phenomenon is French youth departing to Syria to join that country’s militant groups. This engagement of civilians in insurgent areas "in the name of the ummah" (community) is not a new occurrence, as French citizens have already taken part in the conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Iraq, similarly in the name of jihad.
As long as European authorities fail to take drastic measures against anti-Israel instigators, murderous attacks on Jews will only increase.
It was only a matter of time. The writing – or, to be more precise, the writings – has been on the wall for years. And not just in Europe. I would even dare say that, surprisingly, there have only been a few murderous attacks against Jews or Jewish institutions.
Nowhere is the crisis of modernity felt more acutely than in France where for a quarter-century now globalization has brought moroseness and mistrust on an epic scale. Uneasy with capitalism, uncomfortable with flexibility, unpersuaded by the so-called Anglo-Saxon model, France has retreated into its rancor. Immigrants and openness have constituted threat more than possibility.
The shared fear of Muslims has not yet led major Jewish organizations to lift their boycotts against dubious politicians in far-right parties.
The investigation of Sunday’s shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussel is still ongoing, and assessments regarding the motive are varied, but Belgian authorities say the attack, which is being investigated as a terror incident, has anti-Semitic characteristics.
On the night of April 30, 2021, in the midst of the celebration of the Lag Baomer festival, a giant stampede occurred causing the death of 44 people and leaving dozens injured. Crif shares the grief and pain of the Israeli people.
Sunday April 25, on the Place du Trocadéro in Paris, in many cities of France and around the world, we were thousands to pay tribute to Sarah Halimi and demand justice. Citizen gatherings took place everywhere with solidarity and fraternity.
Crif President met with Sophie Wiesenfeld, president of the Support Committee for Fabien Azoulay, as well as with Carole-Olivia Montenot, Fabien Azoulay's lawyer. Indeed, for three years, Fabien Azoulay, a 43-year-old French Jew and gay, has been subjected to abuses in Turkish prison. A petition has been launched to allow him to come back to a normal life, with his family, in humane conditions.
Sunday April 25, on the Place du Trocadéro in Paris, we were thousands to pay tribute to Sarah Halimi and demand justice. During this gathering, Crif President Francis Kalifat spoke to denounce this denial of justice.
The Chief Rabbi of France, the presidents of Crif, the Consistory and the FSJU call for a massive participation in the popular rally which will take place on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. on the Human Rights Square, place du Trocadéro, following the decision of the Court of Cassation concerning the murder of Sarah Halimi.
On Wednesday April 14, 2021, the Cour de Cassation (the highest French court of law) delivered its verdict, but did not do justice to Sarah Halimi and her family. Crif President Francis Kalifat expresses his dismay.
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