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.
Monday, January 30, 2023, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne presented the French National Plan to Combat Racism, Antisemitism and Origin-Based Discrimination for the period from 2023 to 2026, in the presence of Isabelle Rome, Minister Delegate in charge of Equality between women and men, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, and ten other members of the Government.
On this occasion, we interviewed Isabelle Rome on the development of this three-year plan, its priority measures and the expected results.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Vel d’Hiv Roundup, the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (Crif) decided to launch an unprecedented project on an exceptional scale to reflect the importance of this tragic event in the history of the Holocaust in France.
On Thursday February 24, 2022, the 36th Crif Dinner was held in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Castex, representing the French President of the Republic. Here are the highlights.
On Thursday February 24, 2022, the 36th Crif Dinner was held in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Castex, representing the French President of the Republic. Here are the highlights in fews photos!