Exodus of French Jews expected

2004-06-13 12:57

Jerusalem - The Jewish Agency is bracing itself for the immigration of tens of thousands French Jews into Israel as a result of a growing anti-Semitism in France, a spokesperson for the organisation said on Sunday.

Senior government officials including Immigration Absorption Minister Tzippi Livni, cabinet director Ilan Cohen and the president of the quasi-governmental Jewish Agency, Sallai Meridor, met last week "to work out how to come to the help of potential Jewish immigrants from France", Yaden Vatikai told AFP.

Vatikai said that a report compiled by the agency had found 30 000 out of France's 575 000-strong Jewish community were considering immigrating to Israel.

"We are multiplying our efforts to encourage in this case, particularly with an information campaign," he said.

Jews living in France say that they are victims of a growing tide of anti-Semitic crime.

French Justice Minister Dominique Perben said last week that 180 anti-Jewish acts had been recorded so far this year, including cases of assault, arson and verbal insults.

His ministry said no comparison was available with previous years because this was the first time that anti-Jewish acts were being recorded in such detail.

Vatikai said the situation for French Jews was becoming increasingly "difficult".

- AFP