Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - French anti-Semitism

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France happens to be the country with the third largest Jewish population (600,000) in the world, after the US (5.6 mio) and Israel (4.7 mio). So, whenever there's a problem in Israel, where do you think there will be ripple effects? In Japan, South-Africa, or Colombia? Of course not. Put things in perspective, and don't blame them on any particular French attitudes or policies.

I am of Irish descent & like many Irish Americans, my ancestors were victims of the English opression, potato famine, etc. And there are still ill feelings from some English towards the irish & vice-versa. But they are not the majority. And what happened to my family in the past - servitude to the point of slave like conditions, repression of culture, discrimination (which still exists in North ireland), loss of property, poverty & near starvation (oh, and my family came out of Ulster JFTR!) happened a long time ago & was not committed by the current citizens of England. I have traveled to England & would do it again. To punish a whole country for the acts of a minority is pointless. I have many Jewish friends who have visited Germany - and i can assure you the fascist (skinhead) movement is alive & well there!

yeah,but the English aren't burning Catholic churches today are they?

France is basically an anti-semitic country. A great number of its people hold anti-semitic beliefs and its leaders have a history of making anti-semitic statements. That is a fact. If you are not aware of it, it doesn't make it not the case. It just means you should do some study on this, if you want to make insightful comments. Many of these same French are also Anti-Arab (with the obvious exception of the Moslems living in France,) and anti anyone who is not French. It is a very chauvenistic and intolerant culture. This doesn't mean that French films aren't great, the French countryside isn't gorgious, or the towns not picturesque. Paris is beautiful, even if it has become filled with grafitti. But the anti-semitism has been officially expressed and accepted for too long, and this has led to great tragedy. The Vichy government cooperated with the Nazis above and beyond what was necessary. Even President Mitterand had close friends who were involved in the Vichy government and were responsible for the persecution of the Jews. Several years ago, when a Jewish theater was bombed, I believe it was the President who spoke of the tragic deaths of some Jews and some innocent civilians, as if the Jewish people were guilty....LaPenne, a leader of the right, is notoriously anti-semitic. There is no comparison between anti-semitism in France and in the US. Anti-semistism in the US has never been officially expounded or approved and Jewish people rarely face it as a barrier to opportunities. Of course there may be individuals who are anti-semitic, or groups, but the United States, as a nation, strives for tolerance. This is not true of France. My brother lived in France for 25 years until two years ago and faced formidable anti-semitism in employment as his last name is Jewish. In my brother's apartment were still two units occupied by the couples who had been given them by the Vichy government during WWII when the units were expropriated from Jewish families neighbors had turned in (perhaps the very neighbors who were living there today). A Jewish friend of mine, who is a French teacher, met French relatives of hers in Paris in a restaurant, and her relatives whispered to her whenever the subject of Judaism or what happened to their family during WWII arose in the conversation, as they didn't want their neighbors to hear they were Jewish. I could tell you plenty of stories, but won't go on. For the last few years, French anti-semitism has been increasing. You can find articles condemning it prior to the intefadda. There is no excusing it. The French leadership, cultural heros, the clergy, all need to condemn it with great vigor and to police against it. It is simply wrong to attack people because of their religion. It is wrong, wrong, wrong, and no excuses make it right. As for travelling to France, I wouldn't feel go there right now. It's a big world and there are plenty of wonderful places to visit where the people value diversity.

No, they are not burning Catholic churches - but both sides of the political fence in Belfast & Derry blow each other up on a fairly regular basis. The treatment of Catholics in North Ireland is still discrimantory. I would still travel to North Ireland. I have family there (and in the Republic as well). The vast majority of the citizens of North Ireland are "over" the troubles, not involved in it & just want the troublemakers to go away so they can get on with a relatively normal life. By boycotting North ireland (regardless which side you are on) because of each groups treatment (murder, burnings, etc.) of the opposite faction is the same thing. Why would I want to punish the great majority of innocent people who are not hurting anyone?

lisa@Seattle-I agree with you wholeheartedly! You put it all so well! I also agree that as beautiful as the country and the cities are, there are many places as beautiful that have a little bit more of a "kind soul" and that is what interests me now. Someday, Paris again, but not now.

Lisa et al. Will you boycott the Netherlands as well? I ask because in past days there have been revelations about the Dutch military actions in Bosnia that permitted the massacre 7000 Bosnian Muslims. While it happened in another country both the Dutch government and the military condoned the actions. This is a serious question. If you are asking us to boycott France shouldn't there be alot of other places we should be boycotting as well – or is this different?

To Agree Timothy McVeigh was a patsy for Middle-Eastern terrorists who blew up the Murtagh bldg.Do you really think a 20ft Ryder truck loaded with horses--t and ammonium nitrate would take down a nine story bldg?? Get real.

I think this is getting off the subject. France is having a rash of weekly Anti-Semetic attacks on Jewish people and businesses, and synagogues.It is happening now,in France,by French people.

why don't you all just stay home....we have heard enough of your whining..so you lost how many millions so did other religions and cultures...Lay a guilt trip on yourself for what you are doing on the west Bank RIGHT NOW!

To all who are involved in this thread. Anti semitism is well and alive in Europe, be it Eastern or Western.That cannot be changed by debate ,boycott nor force or crack downs.We as people and a tribe Must remember to always look over our shoulder and never forger nor forgive the past.For we are truly the wondering jews and we only have each other.There may come a time when the catholic church will speak out forcefully against antisemitism ,but even than look over your shoulder. Travelman

Travelman-wAndering not wOndering!

xxx-Thank you for showing us all with your perfect example of anti semetic bile- what some people in this world have to put up with on a daily basis,and some of us do not want to deal with on vacation.

But it's OK to be Anti-Muslim. How many us would really care if mosques were being attacked?

To Jackie Thanks for the spelling corection . Too busy typing. TRvelman

RIGHT and there is Lauren K @ Dc ,the DC lawyer who stalks and preys on others... if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen , big babe!!OR YENTAKVETCH OR WHATEVER YOU ARE CALLING YOURSELF THIS VERY MINUTE,,,not welcome anywhere are you , you poor simple sod!

To Jackie I meant Travelman. T

sod is dirt Travelman, you are welcome:)

What you conquer you become. What the Nazis did to the Jewish people in the Warsawe Ghetto the Israelis are doing to the poor unfortunate Palestinians in the refugee camps.