Anti-Semitism in France

What distinguishes anti-Semitism in France from anti-Semitism in the rest of the world is the self-righteous way in which the French deny that their views are in fact anti-Semitic. Islamic fundamentalists are at least forthright, honest, and self-aware about their prejudices. The French are closeted about theirs. Indeed, they are not uncomfortable with anti-Semitism per se. They are merely uncomfortable with anti-Semitism under some guise other than anti-Zionism. The latest illustration of this phenonmenon involves a 79-year-old cartoonist Bob Siné, who “described the plans – since denied – of Jean Sarkozy, 21, to convert to Judaism before marrying Jessica Sebaoun-Darty, an heiress to the fortune of the Darty electrical goods retailing chain.” When controversy erupted, the paper that employs Siné fired him after he refused to apologize.

Philippe Val, the editor of Charlie Hebdo, requested an apology from Siné, to which the veteran “chroniqueur” replied, with some brio it must be said, that he would much rather cut off his testicles. That did it for Val, who promptly fired Siné, who shot back by bringing legal action against the paper for “defamation.”

If I were Philippe Val, I would consider rehiring Siné. Along with a recission of my notice of dismissal, I would send a small knife to M. Siné with a note that reads, “I accept your decision not to apologize. Now act.”

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