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.
Crif was invited by the World Jewish Congress to participate to the training session on “Understanding and Responding to Antisemitic Online Hate Speech”, for Community Organisations and Local Representatives, held in Brussels.
Since November 17, 2023, 'Mothers of Hope' have been meeting every Friday Place du Trocadéro in Paris. There remain 134 children, women and men held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. We are waiting for many of you to join us to demand the release of all the hostages.
From Saturday April 13 to Sunday April 14, 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles against the State of Israel. This is the first direct attack carried out by Iran against Israeli territory. Crif shares its full solidarity with Israel.
April 8th and 9th, Crif was invited by the Maltese Presidency of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OCSE), and joined French Minister Aurore Bergé for these interviews during the OSCE conference on antisemitism in member countries, in Malta.
The UN Commission on the Status of Women – CSW was held in New York from March 11 to 22, 2024. Crif was part of the French delegation led by Minister Aurore Bergé and was able to attend the various events organized by Member States and civil society organisations.
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