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.
Wednesday, May 13, the French National Assembly adopted the bill against online hate, brought by the deputy Laetitia Avia. One more step that goes in the right direction of the fight against hate on the Internet. Crif President Francis Kalifat explains why this Law is necessary.
On May 12, 2020, Crif filed a lawsuit against French polemist Dieudonné following two new videos posted on its YouTube channel. One of these videos notably features Simone Veil and the French Holocaust denier Robert Faurisson.
In this new section, discover the beautiful Israelis success stories. Today, focus on "Way to stay", online experiences let you travel and meet people from all over the world without leaving home.
Facing an unpredecented sanitary crisis, French Jewish institutions have decided to join forces to work as efficiently as possible. They have created he French Jewish Community Crisis Cell that works everyday to ensure safety and support to the French Jews. #StayHome
Very early in the crisis, Israel has instituted a strict lockdown and closed borders. How has the country prepared for the health crisis we are experiencing? What measures have been put in place to protect the population? The israeli top journalist Dror Even-Sapir answers our questions.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Jewish Congress is fully committed to supporting our Jewish communities across the globe as they confront unprecedented challenges caused by this global crisis.
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