Editor's
Letter

Editor Letter from page A5

Marc Knobel, a CRIF spokesman
and a researcher on anti-Semitism
in Europe, told JTA: "They showed
their solidarity and reminded
everyone that hurting a Jew is the
same as hurting France. There is
nothing as powerful as saying that"
In a very interesting comment,
Knobel told JTA that the govern-
ment's cautious approach to the
crime before all the details were
known was the right approach to
limiting further violence, fear and
claims of over-reaction.

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A Tough Road
Still, why don't French courts hand
down harsher sentences for ethnic
crimes? When an unprovoked beat-
ing of a Jew lands a youth gang
member the "penalty" of writing
about anti-Semitism, which actu-
ally happened, justice indeed is
disparaged. French schools also can
step up by teaching diversity, equal-
ity, harmony and respect as better
options for exclusion, fanaticism,
hate and intolerance.
What's more, Muslim Arab
and black leaders in France must
denounce Jew hating. By allowing
forces within their communities
to rile up almost unconditional
hostility toward Jews or Israel, they
cheapen their cause.
French Jews can help themselves
by assuring they don't stereotype
others.
Meanwhile, Jews in Paris' 19th
district told reporters covering the
Haddad beating about daily anti-
Semitic incidents, some considered
less newsworthy but threatening
nonetheless.
Even Rudy Haddad's mother was
in the dark about the depth of anti-
Jewish sentiment in the district. She
told reporters she thought the park
fights there "were little incidents."
"Rudy never talked to me about
big fights;' she said. "Anti-Semitic
insults, yes, but nothing very seri-
ous:'
The situation is serious now
Make no mistake about that.

0

U) Lai

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A6

July 17

2008

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a

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Should we fear a rise
in Western European
anti-Semitism?

Are gang attacks
on Jews a growing
world trend?