Jews Consider Leaving France Due to Rising Anti-Semitism

June 22, 2004

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0622/p01s03-woeu.html

On June 22, 2004 The Christian Science Monitor ran an article on rising anti-Semitism in France, because of which many French Jews are considering immigrating to Israel. The writer focused on Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris: "On a sunny summer's day in this middle-class suburb north of Paris it is not hard to imagine yourself in Israel: Jewish bookshops and kosher grocery stores line busy streets full of men wearing skullcaps and religious women wearing head scarves. A giant menorah stands atop the synagogue. But Sarcelles has been plunged into the midst of a painful debate about the future of Jews in France as a rising plague of anti-Semitic incidents fuels fears for their safety and prompts a new drive by the Israeli authorities to bring potential citizens to the Jewish state. Some here put on a brave front. 'Jewish life is vibrant in Sarcelles,' says Marc Djebali, who heads a federation of local Jewish associations. 'We are trying to expand our community center because Jewish life is developing, not slowing down.' Others take a darker, even apocalyptic view, predicting ever more violent conflict with their Muslim neighbors of North African descent. 'There is no future for Jews in France,' laments Daniel Haik, one of the syna- gogue's administrators. 'We suffered one ethnic cleansing when we were forced to leave Tunisia and we are on the verge of another.'"