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 expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. The former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth of Nations passed away on Saturday, November 7.
150 years ago, on October 24, 1870, the Crémieux Decree was promulgated, granting French citizenship to the 37,000 Jews of Algeria. Didier Nébot looks back on this major event in the history of the Jews of Algeria.
Wednesday November 4th began the pleas of AMIA terror attack trial, wich caused the death of 85 persons. The advocates of representatives of the Jewish Mutual Association of Argentina (AMIA) presented their plea. To better understand the stakes of this trial, we asked Miguel Bronfman, AMIA´s legal representative and attorney in the criminal proceeding related to the bombing case for more than 22 years.
On the evening of Monday November 2, terrorism hit Vienna right in the heart. Islamists attacks have plunged the lively Austrian capital into darkness. Ariel Muzicant, Honorary President of the Jewish Community of Vienna and Austria (IKG), and Vice-President of European Jewish Congress (EJC), answered our questions.
"There is a great deal of relief within the Jewish community here" stated the The Board of Deputies of British Jews after Jeremy Corbyn has been suspended by the Labour party.
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