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.
The 10th Crif National Convention will be held on Sunday, November 17, at the Convention Center of Paris. Dozens of conferences, debates, workshops and round-tables will be organized around the theme "A divided France: can we gather against antisemitism?". Among all the conferences, round-tables and wokshops of the day, discover the workshop dedicated to the fight against BDS and Israel delegitimization in Europe.
The 10th Crif National Convention will be held on Sunday, November 17, at the Convention Center of Paris. Dozens of conferences, debates, workshops and round-tables will be organized around the theme "A divided France: can we gather against antisemitism?".
France’s principal masonic organisation has withdrawn a text which accused Crif, the country’s Jewish umbrella organisation and EJC affiliate, of causing antisemitism.
Former French President Jacques Chirac has marked French political life for more than 40 years. Crif pays tribute to his struggles, his actions, and his unfailing commitment to the French Republic values. Jacques Chirac lead France to face its history, and we will never forget it.
Last week, Columbia University (New York) hosted its Global Leaders Forum. Among the speakers was Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad, sadly well known for his antisemitic statements. During his speech, Romy Ronen, a member of the Columbia student organization Students Supporting Israel (SSI) called him out and asked him to clarify his position. We have asked SSI to tell us more about their brave move.
On August 9, we commemorated the tragic anniversary of Jo Goldenberg restaurant attack, 37 years ago, located rue des Rosiers, in the historic Jewish quarter of Paris. Crif was present at the ceremony in honor of the victims of the attack. A few days later, it came to Crif some revelations of the former Director of the DST (the Directorate for Territorial Surveillance).
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