Israel, France and Islam

According to statistics presented at a press conference in Jerusalem, the number of anti-Semitic attacks around the world has decreased from 1979 cases in 2002 to 983 cases in 2003. But during this period in France the figure has reached from 77 to 141.
Israeli officials again accused France that it has contained the largest wave of violence against the Jewish people in it. The country's top officials have provided statistics based on which in 2003 France has had the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents. Nathan Checharansky, Israel's immigration minister, who is responsible for the Jews return to the country, says: "The situation of Jews is very bad in France. Last year the number of incidents that had taken place due to anti-Semitism in France was doubled. In fact, 47% of accidents occurred in Western Europe is only concerned to France. French authorities who have one of the best rules for racism and anti-Semitism in the world should use their own laws and immediately adopt necessary measures."
According to statistics presented at the press conference that Jewish communities of different countries have developed, in 2003, 110 attacks took place in countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union, and the figure was 71 in 2002. In the UK, 107 (114 cases in 2002) and in America 40 cases (45 cases in 2002) have been reported.
Islam is growing in Europe. Salaj Meridor, head of Jewish Agency and the Israeli entity responsible for Immigration analyzes, in turn believes that French officials have had significant changes in their behavior in recent months, but it was too late. Meridor says, as soon as he arrived in France, he put Jewish hat (Qolonsaveh) on his head, and he asked all Israelis who entered France to do the same.
This statement comes after French rabbis recommended that Jews are better not to use the hats in public places as they may be attacked.
Meridor, however, says that the "Islamization of Europe is increasing and the number of Muslims on the continent are becoming more increasingly. That is why French Jews feel they have no future in their country. "In January 2002, Mikhail Melyshor, Israel's deputy foreign minister, announced that France is the worst Western and regional country for anti-Semitism.
Chirac and many of his ministers hosted a delegation of 30 Israeli journalists in mid-January, and they assured Chirac that French authorities are doing everything in their power to fight anti-Semitism and added that "any attack on Jews will cause attack to France". From long ago, members of the Jewish community sounded their danger alarm and have stated that anti-Semitic acts in France have significantly increased that they consider it is due to by the issue of radicalization of Islam in this country.
Jacques Chirac has always denied Israeli allegations to French and insists that such behavior is strongly suppressed.
May 2003, French Interior Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy received "negligence Award 2003" from the Simon Wiesenthal Center that in fact the award was given to him due to his works on the principle of anti-Semitism. The award was granted to Sarkozy during the opening of a meeting organized by US and non-governmental organizations in UNESCO with the theme of "Educational neglect: the rise of anti-Semitism". Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Paris says: the award shows that "Nicolas Sarkozy has admitted anti-Semitism is a big tragedy."
Checharansky is former trade minister, industry minister in the Netanyahu government, and a member of the Likud (right nationalist) at the time of Sharon. Prior to this, especially in the media, he had said that "unprecedentedly Israel will be evil in public opinion in the world." He also stated that the Israeli government decided on Sunday, January 27, to announce the day of Auschwitz of Nazis' camp liberation in 1945 as "National day of fight with anti-Semitism."
November 2003, Eurobarometer institute's poll showed that most people in countries which are members of Europe Union believe Israel is a very serious threat to "peace" around the world.
Checharansky stated in response to the issue in interview with Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that "Europe Union has shown that it is sensitive on issues related to human rights, but it must stop mind washing that makes people know Israelis as evil to prevent Europe re-entering the dark period of past". 59% of people in the survey had responded yes to the question of whether or not Israel is a threat to world peace.