Prasquier to Minister for Integration Eric Besson: “CRIF’s ambition is to participate fully in the democratic debate”

Among the important figures present were the Mayor of Lyon and Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon.

President Prasquier explained: “What I do not accept is the term ‘communitarism’(i.e. a version of parochialism – translator’s note), and CRIF’s goal is to fight such ‘communitarism’.” The President of CRIF reaffirmed that “CRIF’s ambition is to participate fully in the democratic debate. Our small community, from its historical perspective, has much to say that is worth hearing, but always with tremendous respect and love for the Republic.”

Minister Besson, responding to Richard Prasquier’s distinction between ‘community’ and ‘communitarism’, emphasised the distinction between ‘Nation’ and ‘nationalism’. Responding to the concerns expressed by CRIF, the Minister described France as “a model of integration since its birth”. The issue of anti-Semitism needs to be confronted “head on”. “We have already paid a high price for refusing to discuss the issue,” he added, referring to the success of the far right National Front in the 2002 presidential elections. “That is what happens when we do not talk about these things,” he insisted.