Sharon urges exodus of Jews from France

Associated Press via Globe and Mail ^ | 2004-07-18

[Clive]

Sharon urges exodus of Jews from France Associated Press

Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday urged French Jews to flee the country to escape a rising tide of anti-Semitism, while acknowledging that the French government is fighting racial violence.

The latest French Interior Ministry figures show 510 anti-Jewish acts or threats in the first six months of 2004 - compared to 593 for all of last year.

"If I have to advocate to our brothers in France, I will tell them one thing," Mr. Sharon told visiting American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. "Move to Israel, as early as possible."

Anti-Semitic acts against Jewish schools, synagogues and cemeteries have risen in France in recent years, coinciding with growing tensions in the Middle East. Many attacks have been blamed on young Muslims.

"We see the spread of the wildest anti-Semitism there," Mr. Sharon said.

[Torie]

I think the official position is that they would. But Jews someone told me are not stupid. Maybe later, maybe in say 100 years from now. This agnostic WASP would choose to cut 10 years off his life expectancy if it meant not having to live in an Arab country. I just don't find the culture congenial to my values. It is a personal thing.

[samtheman]

Putting aside the rhetoric about FDR, it was indeed shameful that America did not welcome the oppressed and endangered Jews threatened by the dark Fascist menace, as it had in the past, and did in the future. It cannot be defended or justified. It was wrong, and a shameful episode in American history. I hate it when the shining city on the hill falls short of its ideals.

That's what I was referring to when I posted the word "agreed". Not the other stuff you're saying. I'm having trouble figuring out what's motivating you on the other stuff.

Sharon said the obvious. I don't see your problem with that.

[samtheman]

And for the record, FDR was a Socialist. Through and through. Took a deep recession and morphed it into a Great Depression. What a guy.

[familyop]

We should do a nice cleaning of Europe, and make it part of Israel. ...wouldn't take more than a few days.

[Mr. Mojo]

And you agree with Sharon [that Jews should leave France] because you want Jews to be safe from the hordes of Islamists in your country, or for another reason?

[HiTech RedNeck]

The continued presence of a Jewish population in France means that much more of a political opposition to the Mooselimbs. Should they go, it would be Pure Frogs vs. Mooselimbs and I think Pure Frogs would end up the losers in that one.

[familyop]

"...and how 'bout those French nuclear weapons? :-D"

...you mean the French nukes in Iran?

[Torie]

I think the planet would benefit by having Jews in every nation on this planet. In fact, I know it would. But of course, I don't expect Jews or anyone else to compromise their safety or livelihood or values based on some planetary eleemosynary ideal. It is just a thought.

I hope that helps.

[ashtanga]

France was once a great country, brimming with great artists, and even their army was feared. Now it is a PC cess pit. The intellectuals have demasculized the French citizen, and thank God that the Americans resist!

[twgiles]

I think it would be great if the State Department advised Americans in France to vacate and for the rest of us not to travel there on business or pleasure. :)

[Mr. Mojo]

Just as I figured -- you're a gutless Frog, redundant as that may be.

Enjoy Sharia law -- it's coming to a town near you.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Too bad there weren't more such public statements made in the 1930s about living in Germany. Of course, then there was no place to go.

Maybe, but fighting back, to the death if necessary, would have been a much better option to me, than being led slaughter.....

[GeronL]

Im. Interesting. He dissed France but he probably made a lot of jews mad too.

[samtheman]

I think the planet would benefit by having Jews in every nation on this planet.

I think the planet would benefit by having Muslims in every nation convert to some other religion or philosophy. But that's not going to happen either.

[Atlantic Friend]

As someone in this thread aptly put it, Israel need the population influx to buy time - there's quite a difference between Israeli and Palestinian birthrates, so every European Jew coming to Israel is a little gain for this country. So this little proclamation is not really surprising.

As for the fact Ariel Sharon is doing this because of his concern for the safety of French Jews, well...I'll just say that Israel suffers many more antisemitic attacks than France, and that they tend to be deadlier too. Unless I've totally missed some wave of antisemitic bombings in French theaters, restaurants and night-clubs, that is.