In the first six months of 2004, French authorities reported 180 incidents of anti-Semitism, prompting Justice Minister Dominique Perben to promise enforcement efforts would become ôeven firmerö while also promising ômore dissuasive judicial response.ö The rising incidence of anti-Semitism in France against its estimated 600,000 Jews has seen many immigrate to Israel, despite government assurances. There are several reasons why Jews across Western Europe have become increasingly subjected to anti-Semitism. These reasons relate to contemporary political realities in the Middle East, the U.S. and Europe but these also stem from historical anti-Semitism against Jews throughout Europe. This analysis will discuss the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, focusing on France. A conclusion will discuss whether or not this crisis is one that lends itself to resolution.
In Sarcelles, France, home to FranceÆs largest population of Jews, increasing numbers of anti-Semitism incidents continue to occur. Whenever they leave their concentrated district, Jews complain of being harassed, insulted and called ôdirty Jews,ö and schoolchildren are often beat up or robbed on their way home from school. Many Jews came to Sarcelles because of a safety-in-numbers outlook, with rising anti-Semitism in former locations like Saint Denis, Belgium, and even Britain. The Palestinian intifadeh has spilled over into the Muslim-Jewish community in France, where many sympathize with the Palestinians more than the Israelis in their ongoing conflict.
Contemporary political realities are fueling much of the anti-Semitism witnessed across Europe and in France. An influx of individuals into France and other European nations of Muslim and Arab descent is mainly responsible according to most political observers, ôThe increase in anti-Jewish incidents in France and Belgium is correctly attributed to young people, frequently of Muslim or Arab background, th...