Opinion
France confronts antisemitism in midst of social disturbances
The latest on the political - and religious - unrest across the Channel
March 6, 2019 10:46
2 min read
The latest on the political - and religious - unrest across the Channel
March 6, 2019 10:46A certain normalcy was returning to France. The “yellow vest” movement was losing ground and the government’s fortunes were rising, albeit from a low level. Then suddenly a rash of antisemitic acts broke out provoking an energetic response from politicians and most media, but the general public seems indifferent to the fate of French Jews.
After months of weekly demonstrations, the yellow vests have been losing support. Small businesses have suffered, violence is problematic and many are just fed up with the inconvenience. Macron’s “great national debate” has engaged those willing to offer constructive ideas and has uncovered contradictions in popular demands for more government and lower taxes. Macron has reconnected with mayors and the general public. A marathon 14 hours at the annual agricultural fair will help him with the rural electorate.
But the improving atmosphere was shattered by the desecration of Jewish tombs, appalling antisemitic language on social media and verbal insults of prominent figures like the respected philosopher Alain Finkielkraut: « Zionist shit” “go back to Tel Aviv”. A young woman from the yellow vest movement was roughed up, treated as a “dirty Jew” and intimidated into withdrawing her candidacy for the European elections.
Politicians and the media responded with strong support for the Jewish community. They identified as main contributors the extreme right, the extreme left, radical Islam and some yellow vests prone to conspiracy theories. At the annual 1000 guest dinner honoring the Jewish community, president Macron listed by name numerous distinguished Jewish thinkers from France’s Middle Ages. He also committed to adopting the IHRC definition of antisemitism, thereby including AntiZionism.
Despite this encouraging reaction, the general public seems unmoved. A public demonstration against antisemitism drew politicians, opinion leaders and Jewish groups, but not many others. A respected opinion poll showed that Jews are thought to be well integrated and contribute a lot to French society, but two-thirds of French people are simply indifferent to the risk of Jews leaving France.
In this deeply troubling period, Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur has emerged as an effective spokesperson for the Jewish community. Though not recognized by mainstream Jewish institutions dominated by traditional and Sephardic Jews unfamiliar with Reform Judaism and uncomfortable with an articulate woman rabbi who takes a nuanced position on Israel, Horvilleur has built an impressive following in the Jewish community and taken the French media by storm. Launching a philosophical book on antisemitism, she has enjoyed blanket coverage from radio, television and written press. A left wing daily devoted an entire front page to her.
Well versed in Jewish texts and fluent in modern Hebrew, Horvilleur leads a reform synagogue in Paris and edits a Jewish magazine that attracts orthodox, conservative and reform contributors. She also leads a monthly Talmudic study session that regularly attracts 200 participants. If the two largest reform synagogues in Paris merge successfully, she may become the senior rabbi of the largest Jewish community in Europe.
"Reuven Levi" has been a Paris resident since 1981. He married in the United States and is father of three and grandfather of six. He is an active member of the Jewish Community