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.
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).
In this new section, discover the beautiful Israelis success stories. Today, focus on Tech it Forward, an Israeli agency whose mission is to connect Israeli startups with foreign companies and investors. An attractive project and a growing success!
Last week, dozens of countries, including Norway and six EU countries, voted at the United Nations in favour of two resolutions that accuse Israel of violating women’s rights and human rights. Crif President Francis Kalifat expressed his lack of understanding of this vote. He regretted that France had voted in favour of the resolutions, alongside those who "daily flout human rights".
On July 16, 1942, Esther Senot escapes the Vel d'Hiv roundup. A few months later, she was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. She is barely 15 years old. Esther Senot testified as a holocaust survivor at the national ceremony commemorating the Vel d'Hiv roundup, on July 21st. And she has something to tell you.
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