(JTA) — Amid attacks in Europe on Jews following the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has condemned anti-Semitism “that always tries to justify itself with new pretext,” and which he said has deep roots in France.
Speaking on Sunday during a speech before approximately 700 participants of the 8th annual conference of the CRIF umbrella group of French Jewish communities, Philipe said, “In our country, anti-Semitism is alive. It is not new, it is ancient. It is not superficial, it is well-rooted and it is alive. And it hides always behind new masks, attempts to justify itself through diverse reasons. This ideology of hate is here, it’s present and it’s making some French Jews to make aliyah.” Philippe said, “It should be a spiritual choice but it pains all citizens of the republic when it’s a form of self exile, made out of insecurity and fear.”