Today's Date:

President Chirac's remarks to the press on anti-Semitism

Elysée Palace, November 17, 2003

Q: Do you have any particular message to send the nation, as well as the Jewish community, which is concerned about its future in France? And I would also like to know if, given the current context, you believe it is wise for your interior minister to hold a debate with Tariq Ramadan on France 2 this Thursday?

The President: I would like to say that, on behalf of the nation, I solemnly condemn all acts of anti-Semitism, all acts that are not in accordance with the natural demands of the Republic. Indeed, acts of anti-Semitism are attacks on the fundamental rights of each citizen: the right to have one's beliefs respected, the right to have one's convictions respected. When a Jew is attacked in France, it is an attack against the whole of France.

During a meeting with some of my cabinet ministers this afternoon, I demanded the greatest vigilance in prevention, the greatest firmness in pursuit and the greatest severity and swiftness in punishing anti-Semitic acts.

The Government is going to ask all the prefects to convene officials from the Jewish community in order to determine, on the ground and together with the security services, the measures that need to be taken to strengthen the protection, notably, of places of worship and schools.

At the same time, the justice minister will ask prosecutors to identify and signal all cases involving acts of anti-Semitism in order to impose exemplary sanctions upon the perpetrators. You will note that I said exemplary sanctions.

Finally, I asked the education minister to bolster the teaching of civics in French schools in order to educate all children on respecting others, on dialogue and tolerance.

For centuries and centuries, our Jewish countrymen have been at home in France, as much as any other French citizen. Anti-Semitism is contrary to all French values. And I am counting on everyone to show vigilance in opposing it.