FRENCH JEWS AGREE WITH SHARON

Despite the declarations of French Jewish institutions and Chirac's hysterical reaction, French Jews say Sharon is right:

"No, Sharon is not talking nonsense, anti-Semitic violence exists in France," protests Elie from behind the counter of his grocery, rue des Rosiers.

This young 19-year-old man, who wears a kippa, knows "a friend who was attacked in Epinay three weeks ago," and is himself claiming to be the victim "of insults three times a day. Sometimes," Elie says, "I think about leaving for Israel, but that wouldn't be only because I feel in danger here. It would be to study and to learn more about religion."

Further in the street, the manager of a bar wants to stay anonymous "for fear of retaliation." She hasn't heard Sharon's speech, but she's "convinced reactions are exaggerated.

Talking about it so much in the media increases anti-Semitism," explains this woman, in her forties, who insists: "Anti-Semitism exists in Paris, there is no doubt about it. Do you think it is normal that one cannot go for a walk with a Star of David around one's neck?"

Another bar, same reaction. Hélène, 28, admits that "here, rue des Rosiers, in this district," she is "at home, but outside, I have the impression that I am less and less safe in France." So, one day, Hélène may leave. "If something happens to me or my son."

Sylvain has already decided: he is leaving for Israel. "I won't miss France at all, even if I am not excluding the possibility of coming back if things don't work for me there." This young man "find[s] it more and more difficult to be Jewish in France right now. Go for a walk on the Champs-Elysées at night around 10 pm, wearing a Star of David, you'll get what I mean..."

Another symbolic Jewish district in Paris, the district of the Sentier also seems to have understood the meaning of Israeli Prime Minister's speech. "Everybody thinks like Sharon, but nobody dares speak," Elie concludes.

(TRANSLATION COURTESY OF E-NOUGH BLOG)