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 Crif is worried to see the far-right parties on our doorstep. How to imagine the harmonious development of Europe with populist parties that want to destroy it?
PARIS - The World Jewish Congress’ Jewish Diplomatic Corps gathered in Paris this week. While in Paris, the JDs also had an opportunity to meet with CRIF President Francis Kalifat and Executive Director Robert Ejnes to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the French Jewish community and work toward strengthening the cooperation between CRIF and the WJC JDCorps.
Belgian Jewish Community files lawsuit challenging ban on Kosher Slaughter // Lawsuit submitted by the Belgian Federation of Jewish Organizations (CCOJB), supported by the Lawfare Project, the European Jewish Congress and the World Jewish Congress // Lawsuit Submitted to Belgium’s Constitutional Court, Challenging Law Passed by Walloon Parliament in May 2017 // Lawsuit Against Similar Ban in Flanders to Follow in the New Year.
A delegation from the European Jewish Congress (EJC), led by President Dr. Moshe Kantor, met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The delegation included Francis Kalifat, president of Crif.
On November 20th, Crif International Relations Committee met with Evan Bernstein, Regional Director - New York of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), along with Yonathan Arfi, Vice President of the Crif and Chair of the International Relations Committee.