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 eve of 5781, Crif expressed the wish to see this new year unfold in safety and serenity for all French Jews. We hope to be able to share many happy moments together, and - facing the important challenges that await us - to count on the kindness and solidarity of each of us.
A few days before the beginning of the Tour de France, Crif President called on cycling federations to alert them on an odious campaign of delegitimization against the Israeli team.
On August 9, we commemorate the very sad anniversary of the Jo Goldenberg restaurant attack, in Paris. 38 years ago, around 1:15 pm, several men enter the restaurant Jo Goldenberg, located at 7, rue des Rosiers, in the Marais district, in Paris. Suddenly, this is chaos in the middle of Paris.
On July 16, 1942 took place the Vel d'Hiv roundup, in the middle of Paris. 13 152 Jews were arrested and taken to Drancy and the Loiret camps before being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Among them, 4115 children. We shall never forget them.