France is irate over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's calls to
French Jews to come on aliyah as soon as possible due
to antisemitism in their current home. French officials sent
a message to Jerusalem telling Israel to halt plans for
Sharon's visit to Paris because the Prime Minister is
unwanted in France. Israeli officials tried to explain that
Sharon's remarks were not directed specifically at French
Jews and that he issues calls to all the Jews of the world to
make aliyah.
On Monday every few minutes French radio stations repeated a
distorted version of Sharon's remarks saying he had called on
Jews "to leave France, where antisemitism is running rampant,
and to come to Israel right away" followed by denunciations
by the French Foreign Ministry. Jews heard this report
repeated ad nauseam, obviously based on orders from above.
Sharon has further complicated the situation for French Jews,
who face both Arab antisemitism and pressure from the
authorities not to make too much noise and to trust the
government to handle the matter. Whether Sharon's remarks
were accidental or intentional, they were highly
irresponsible since they challenge the Jews' status as French
citizens with equal rights, heightening the issue of double
loyalty that their opponents constantly lodge against them.
The newspapers presented Sharon's call as if it were an order
from Israel to flee France.
The French Foreign Ministry, radio stations and television
channels added to the antisemitic atmosphere in France, with
wild attacks on Sharon and doubts about the status of Jews in
France, a reaction that in fact merely confirms Sharon's
claims antisemitism has become prevalent in the country.
Jewish organizations condemned his remarks, to avoid
appearing like foreigners set to abandon the country. Jews
see such declarations as a threat to their status and a tool
used to pressure the French government to alter its Middle
East policy. They contend Israel demonstrates a lack of
understanding of the Jews' position in France.
For now most Jews have no intentions of moving to Israel
despite the danger of encountering Arabs on the Champs
Elysees and in the suburbs. Most of them do not suffer from
attacks or harassment. The Jews who decide to come on
aliyah, primarily the religious, do so discretely and
individually. Many continue to work in France, returning
every week or two.
Nonetheless, many Jews concurred with Sharon's remarks and
voiced concern over the reactions in France. Speaking on
Jewish radio, one Jew said the French Foreign Ministry
constantly condemns Israel and Sharon is not compelling any
Jew to come to Israel, but is merely issuing an open
invitation. They also recall President Chirac's wild conduct
when he squabbled with Israeli bodyguards during a visit to
Israel. On Radio Shalom some speakers criticized the heads of
the Jewish organizations and rabbinate officials who
denounced Sharon, such as Attorney Theo Klein who directs
propaganda against Israeli policy. The say French authorities
speak out against antisemitism while provoking it through
anti-Israeli policy.
The moment French non-Jews hear censure from an Israeli or a
Jew they lose their temper. Muslim organizations accused
Sharon of being anti-Muslim and MARP said Jews take advantage
of antisemitism to advance the policy of settling Israel.
The lead headline of Le Figaro read, "Sharon Insulted
France." Such headlines heighten tensions in the street
against the Jews. Based on a directive from President Chirac
the Foreign Minister termed Sharon's calls "unacceptable,"
which in the diplomatic lexicon is considered a severe
denunciation and a proclamation of a diplomatic conflict.
