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.

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.”