New York, N.Y., October 30, 2001 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed deep concern over a recent rise in anti-Jewish violence and anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric in France. Among the latest incidents are the burning down of part of a Jewish school in Marseille, where arsonists left the messages "death to Jews," and "bin Laden will conquer."

"We are deeply concerned by the recent rise of anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment in France," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, in a letter to President Jacques Chirac of France. "In the face of this mounting evidence, French authorities have remained far too passive. Jewish organizations and the Israeli Embassy have had few allies in the expression of concern."

Mr. Foxman called on President Chirac to "come forward with clear and strong denunciations of the anti-Jewish violence, and incendiary anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric. We urge France to honor its tradition of human rights by taking the responsibility to protect its large Jewish community and to show understanding for Israel's right to defend her existence."

In addition to the latest incident, last month several young Moslems attacked a group of young Jews who had gathered by the Champs Elysee. There have been reports of a rising tension in the 19th and 20th arrondissements (neighborhoods) of Paris, where Jews and Arabs live close to one another, and there has been a rise in the number of acts of vandalism against synagogues in the Paris region.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.