Considering that's the the Prime Minister of the "shitty little country" in the view of the French diplomatic corps, and he's referring to a nation where a Jew is advised NOT to look like a Jew, I think he worded it just fine. The French can be offended, doesn't bother me and I doubt Sharon is losing much sleep over it.
And if President Chirac had made a similar swipe at the US, even before a non-US audience, I respectfully believe I'd still be hearing about it, only people would say "outrage" instead of "whine".
Right, we'd ban Chirac from visiting the US. Maybe break off relations.
Actually, if Chirac suggested American's of French heritage emigrate to France due to discrimination against French Americans, most people would fall down laughing.
You overlook a cultural difference.
It’s fair to say many Americans, certainly many on this board, are contemptuous of France. Canada too. But they don’t harass French Americans. Or Canadians.
France has every right to be contemptuous of the “shitty little country”. Based on that contempt, they do harass French Jews, or tolerate harassment.
Most Americans would consider that a form of bigotry.
Well, the French JEWS were offended as well by PM Sharon's remarks, so I don't think it's something that can be so easily discarded as anti-Israeli attitude or sentiment, Mr Jackson.
As for "France harassing French Jews", as you put it, your wording implies it is an official policy to harass Jew citizens of this country. Could you please tell me what officially-sanctioned incidents or attacks you are refering to ? And where is the officially-sanctioned policy to tolerate antisemitism ?