Paris
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week angered the French when he called on French Jews to emigrate en masse to Israel. France, Sharon declared in a speech in Jerusalem, is host to “the wildest anti-Semitism,” adding that the nation’s 600,000 Jews should “move to Israel as early as possible.” Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders in France all said the statement was ridiculous and could encourage violence against Jews. President Jacques Chirac said Sharon would not be welcome in France until he retracted his remarks. Violent attacks on Jews and desecrations of Jewish cemeteries, mostly by Muslim immigrants, have nearly doubled in France in the past year.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The week's best photosIn Pictures A missile garden, a line of lava, and more
-
Sweden's Soft Hooligans: the fans who brought 'good vibes' to the EurosUnder the Radar Formed to create a fun fan atmosphere, the Swedish football supporter group has been bringing the party to the championship
-
Crossword: July 18, 2025The Week's daily crossword
