Francis Kalifat regrets the absence of Israelis and Palestinians at the ministerial meeting in Paris

"We all know that peace in the region can be done only from direct negotiations between the two parties," says the new President of Crif.

I will make every effort for French Jews to regain confidence in their country

Interview by Yossi Lempkowicz, published on European Jewish Press May 31, 2016

EJP: How do you define yourself in relation to the Jewish community in France?

The definition I can give you is that I am first a French citizen and than an activist Jew, devoted to his community and his country, committed to the city, practicing and tolerant. People say of me that I am accessible and open.

What is your main message today to the Jews of France?

I hear and I fully understand their concerns, but I will make every effort for French Jews to regain confidence in their country.

Do authorities whether in France or at European level have an important role to play in the fight against anti-Semitism?

Certainly, it is the responsibility of the French and European authorities to deploy all means to stop this cancer which is anti-Semitism and which is undermining our societies.

Do you have confidence in the action that is being conducted by the French government?

The government was able to take the emergency measures necessary to protect Jewish sites: synagogues, schools, community sites, immediately after the terror attacks. It is the Prime minister (Manuel Valls) who publicly equated Zionism as the new anti-Semitism.We have of course other venues to open. I think in particular that school must fulfill its role in education against anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and scrupulously look after the educational content and textbooks.

France has launched an initiative to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. A meeting will be held in Paris in early June about it. What is your view on this approach initiated by France?

Any peace initiative is always interesting.Regarding the latter, we have a regret, expressed to the French Foreign Minister during our recent meeting, namely that the main protagonists, Israelis and Palestinians, are not at the table. We all know that peace in the region can be done only from direct negotiations between the two parties.

How do you characterize CRIF's relation towards Israel?

CRIF has in its DNA the sake of Israel's security and defense of its sustainability. But CRIF doesn’t meddle in Israeli politics... Read more.

Source : European Jewish Press