„It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France,“ said Rabbi Moshe Sebbag, the chief rabbi of the Grande Synagogue of Paris.
„I tell everyone who is young to go to Israel or a more secure country.“ The rabbi’s comments came after the success of the right-wing National Rally party in Sunday’s first round of French parliamentary elections, which the Sebbag believes cast doubt on the future of Jews in France.
„It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France,” Sebbag told The Jerusalem Post. „I tell everyone young to go to Israel or a more secure country.”
Sebbag explained that France was facing an identity and integration crisis. After World War II, Jewish immigrants had come to France, and since then, they became an integrated part of society.
„After generations the French Jews are very French and feel very French,“ said Sebbag, adding that not every immigrant from other countries integrated as well as the Jews. While there is religious freedom, expression of faith is not allowed in state places. Many Muslims do not comply with these aspects of society and wear headscarves in state spaces.
Not every part of France have responded with opennes to immigration; many see the problems of mass immigration, and fear of losing French culture.
„The Jews are in the middle because they don’t know who hates them more,“ Sebbag referred to the political landscape.
While National Rally leader Marine Le Pen has been trying to distance the party from its antisemitic roots, and the right provided support for Israel’s ability to defend itself, many Jews still cannot think of voting for the National Rally. On the other hand, while the left had offered justification for the October 7 Massacre, it also facilitated and embraced Pro-Palestinian protests and activism, which coincided with a dramatic rise in antisemitism.
Photo credit: REUTERS/CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/FILE PHOTO
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