The Invisible Hand

Jews and Frenchmen

Jacques Chirac is outraged that Ariel Sharon suggested Jews in France might consider emigrating to Israel. The Isreali Prime Minister is not welcome in Paris until he explains his insensitive remark says the smug leader of the French world. 

In the interest of world peace may I offer an explanation? 

Jews should leave France because Jews willnever be considered French no matter how long they live there.  The same applies to Muslims, and Germans, and Anglo-Saxons, and just about anyone else who is not already French. 

Unlike the thriving and vital societies in the English speaking world, continental Europe in general and France in particular are societies in retreat, unable to assimilate newcomers, more concerned about dividing up finite pieces of a shrinking pie than opening up to new possibilities and expanding the pie.

Proof?  He are Chirac's own words as found on the website of the Council on American-Islamic Relations: 

"We are in a time where undoubtedly, we are witnessing racist events involving our Jewish and Muslim compatriots and others, too. Sometimes just simple Frenchmen are attacked because they do not belong to such or such community. This is unacceptable.

Yes, racist violence is unacceptable particularly when ordinary French people are caught in the crossfire. 

Not welcome in Paris?  Sharon didn't need Chirac to tell him that.