The CRIF in action
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Published on 31 May 2004

RASH OF ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS; DEMONSTRATION

A rash of anti-Semitic attacks erupted again in France during the past month. On April 30, 127 headstones of the Jewish cemetery in Herrlisheim (East of France) were daubed with swastikas and Nazi slogans. On May 1st, a North African Muslim violently aggressed the rabbi of Créteil (a suburb of Paris) and his young son, shouting "Palestine, Palestine, we'll kill you, kike!" On May 5, anti-Semitic daubing was found on the wall of the synagogue of Valenciennes (North of France). On May 7, the monument in memory of the Jewish soldiers fallen during World War One in Verdun was also defaced with swastikas and Nazi slogans.



CRIF condemned the unbearable attack against a monument in memory of Jewish soldiers fallen for France. Once again, the memory of the dead is jeered at. CRIF strongly condemned this escalation of anti-Semitic attacks with Nazi connotations. Now, one tries to exclude from the Nation the Jews who fought for their Fatherland so that France could live. The legacy and honor of France are tarnished.

CRIF calls on an awareness rising to stymie the increase of intolerance.

CRIF associated with the demonstration against anti-Semitism organized by the anti-racist group SOS-Racism, by the Union of Jewish Students UEJF and the Independent Federation of High School pupils, by the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism, and by an organization of immigrated women.

According to the organizers, 20,000 people joined the demonstration in Paris. Observers noted the presence of only two members of the government, while the Left wing opposition was heavily represented.

Addressing the crowd, CRIF's President Roger Cukierman said, "We are the children of the Republic, all citizens equal in rights and in duties. Anti-Semitism, rising again out of the sewers of History, is threatening the basic values of French society. To attack the Jews means to attack France!"

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