Posted on 05/11/2002 3:53:32 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Sunday, May 12, 2002 Sivan 1, 5762 Israel Time: 01:49 (GMT+3)
Last update - 01:43 12/05/2002
French president accuses Israel of conducting anti-France campaign
By The Associated Press
PARIS - French President Jacques Chirac raised the possibility on Saturday of "consequences" if Israel did not put a halt to a campaign presenting France as an anti-Semitic country, the president's spokeswoman said.
In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Chirac spoke out "with force against the campaign," spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said. "At a time when the French massively demonstrated their refusal of racism, of xenophobia and of anti-Semitism, this campaign is not acceptable," Chirac was quoted as saying.
He added that it cannot continue "without consequences," Colonna said. She did not elaborate on what the consequences could entail.
Chirac was reelected last Sunday to a second term following a landslide victory over extreme-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen who has been convicted of both racism and anti-Semitism.
However, Israel's concern about events in France predates the election, rooted in a barrage of attacks this spring on synagogues and other Jewish sites. The attacks coincided with rising tensions in the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians. On April 2, France's ambassador to Israel was called to the Foreign Ministry to hear Israel's concerns about the spate of attacks.
The head of the ministry's European desk, Victor Harel, expressed Israel's concern over the attacks. The French ambassador, Jacques Huntzinger, advised that police had been sent in to reinforce security around Jewish sites.
Not helping matters is Israel's view of France as pro-Arab and partial to the Palestinians.
Israel is increasingly sensitive over signs of a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe and wants to form an international commission to monitor any signs of it. French Charge d'Affaires in Israel Michel Miraillet took a lot of "tough comments" at a meeting he attended earlier this month with Israeli officials and representatives of Israeli organizations, according to Israel's deputy foreign minister, Michael Melchior.
The presidential spokeswoman said Chirac's comments were made in a telephone call from Sharon to Chirac to discuss the Middle East crisis. Sharon said he was favorable to participation by the European Union in an international conference to unblock the stalemate.
The Cherbourg Boats-halfway down the page
Also here The Israeli Intelligence Services; Deception and Covert Action Operations under Technology Acquisition/ Counter Proliferation, with a reminder of how, when the French refused to sell Israel the Mirage III fighter, Israel stole the plans and built them themselves.
The Cherbourg Boats-halfway down the page
Also here The Israeli Intelligence Services; Deception and Covert Action Operationsunder Technology Acquisition/ Counter Proliferation, with a reminder of how, when the French refused to sell Israel the Mirage III fighter, Israel stole the plans and built them themselves.
Though I remember that there was a story here at FR or two of Americans foregoing visits to France. If Chirac is thinking about this, I don't think he understands the American "street."
Or maybe it's just some bad cheese he ate.
Ah. I wondered where he had got to, the little swine mynkee..
The French are whining that they're being picked on -- by ISRAEL! Like they'd care enough to start such a campaign even WITHOUT all that going on!
Okay, have it their way: let's tell everybody that France hates Islam, loves Jews, and was overheard suggesting that Salman Rushdie would be given a state dinner in his honor. I dare say they'll surrender within a week.
Almost its equal, but less noticed, was Jospin's initial response to attacks on synagogues: "Ze government cannot guarantee ze safety of ze Jews when zey gazair in groups."
Right in there with the Berlin police suggesting that maybe Jews could try to not look like Jews when they go outside, if they don't want to be beaten up.
The French President is a f****** moron.
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