ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE ON THE RISE IN 2004

Gerard Fellous, CNCDH's outgoing Secretary General, said, "One can notice that in 2004 there is no relation between the increase of these incidents and the international situation like it was the case in 2000. The aggravation of the racist violence is spread all through the year. This means that the phenomenon tends to settle for good and is trivialized. It is obvious that all the victims do not go to the police to file a complaint. Our figures would then be underestimated."

For the past four years, CRIF endlessly exposed the increase of anti-Semitic actions and threats. CRIF was also worried by the increase and the trivialization of racism and of anti-Semitism within the French society, a phenomenon walking hand in hand with the rise of parochialism. One has apparently moved from a transient phenomenon to something structural.

The conclusions of the 2004 annual report presented by the CNCDH did not surprise CRIF.
CRIF encourages the French Government in its fight against anti-Semitism and congratulates the Government for its close cooperation with CRIF. The public authorities showed their determination and should not lower their mobilization. Repression is mandatory but should be accompanied with parallel actions with the involvement of all the stakeholders of the civil society including the local mayors. The anti-Semitic and racist violence perpetrated in the streets, schools, public transportation, workplace must also be prevented upstream by education and by fighting against all discriminations. The whole of the French society, true to the Republic's values, should engage itself in this struggle.

Finally, those able to have an influence on the content of the Internet should be called to a greater awareness against racism, anti-Semitism and the negation of the Holocaust..

Speaking to JTA, Israel's Ambassador to France Nissim Zvili said, "The French government has made intense efforts to curb the violence, and we look forward to seeing the results.”

“We recognize, however, that there are other causes at work here other than the violence in the Middle East, notably the problems of integration of the North African community, as well as the rise of the extreme right.”

“The report confirms for us that the feelings of discomfort in the Jewish community are based in reality,” he said.

“The larger problem,” he emphasized, “is that French society in general is not supportive enough of the government’s efforts.”

For an opinion poll sponsored by the CNCDH, a representative sample of the French population was asked to pick from a list of fifteen "concerns" which one was the most worrying. "Racism" reach fourth position but "anti-Semitism" was picked by only 6 per cent of the polled and ranked number fifteen and last.

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Reacting to the report of the CNCDH, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has reaffirmed the "total determination" of his government to struggle against racism and anti-Semitism. "Our republican system and France's identity itself feel aggressed by racism and by anti-Semitism… Facing this scourge, the Government is acting with determination and mobilizes all its forces. Our determination must be flawless. There is no such thing as a trivial incident. All such incidents, either small or big, deserve our revolt. There is no such thing as small racism and big racism; likewise there is no small terrorism and big terrorism. There are actions that must be condemned, exposed and trigger the toughest reaction on behalf of the society," said Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

"It is very important to face reality. One cannot engage an enemy without looking at his face. My government does not intend to look the other way." Prime Minister Raffarin added that the cross department commission to fight against anti-Semitism convened already six times under his leadership.

Speaking at the French National Assembly, Prime Minister Raffarin said, "For too long, the existence (of racism and anti-Semitism) was denied in France. It is not by denying something that one can fight it. Coming back from the ceremonies of Yad VaShem where I could see what a terrible shame the Holocaust represents for the whole world, let me tell you that France ought to pride itself for being at the head of the countries fighting against racism and anti-Semitism.

Michel Frost was appointed CNCDH's new Secretary General by the French Prime Minister