A headline in today's Times (1/13/15) reads, "Fear on
Rise, Jews in France Weigh an Exit". That article goes on to detail how
many French Jews have decamped for Israel and how many more are likely to do
so. France, the piece specifies, "was the largest source of Jews moving to
Israel last year."
Given the spread of violent, often murderous anti-Semitism
in France, it's perfectly natural for French Jews to ponder exit strategy.
But it's also worth remembering that this is not the first
dire crisis French Jews have experienced. During the Dreyfus Affair of the late
nineteenth century, when Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French army,
was framed for treason, much of French society, not excluding members of its
cultured elite such as Edgar Degas, gave themselves to a proto-fascist
anti-Semitism.
France was profoundly split. Marcel Proust — yes, the
hermetic author of "À la recherche du temps perdu" — transformed
himself into an activist who leafleted on behalf of Dreyfus. (Imagine getting
a leaflet from Proust.) Emile Zola denounced the anti-democratic cum
anti-Semitic tide in his letter, "J'accuse", which helped slap France
back to its senses, though Zola himself had to flee to England to escape
retribution by the mob.
It's different today. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls,
with history in mind, has declared that the viability of "The French
Republic will be judged a failure" if Jews in large numbers feel it
necessary to leave. We're not in the nineteenth century. It's crucial to have
French officialdom behind you, if you're a French Jew, but officialdom isn't
always there when push comes to shove, as it increasingly does, on the streets.
I am not a French Jew. I'm an American Jew born and raised
in the relative, though not absolute, security of the United States. But I can
put myself in the place of a French Jew and wonder where to go in the
increasingly anti-Semitic climate of France.
Do I stay and fight for my place in a culture to which many
like me have contributed? Do I go to Israel?
In France there is danger on the street should I show any
sign of being Jewish — coming out of a synagogue, wearing a yarmulke, even shopping
in a kosher market. In Israel there is the threat of Iran getting nuclear
weapons, of Hamas and other varieties of Islamism dedicated to exterminating my
country. Let me also mention the inevitable moral and political blowback from
Israeli expansionism, its ugly religious/nationalist seizure of the West Bank.
What do I do? What's the better option, were I a French Jew?
Paris with its threats or Tel Aviv with its burdens?
Neither. Emigrate to the States. Now, as always, the best option for oppressed minorities. There is a reason France gave us the statue.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. does not hand out entry visas.
DeleteGood point, although France is part of the US visa waiver program. But maybe the better option is Canada. Quebec has a fast-track program for French speakers, and French-Canada assimilation is probably easier.
DeleteI have no right to judge those who flee. But is that the only option? I'm sure there are also French Jews who want to defend their place in France.
DeleteStay in Paris. Forget safety. Live your life. Live the life you choose to live.
ReplyDeleteSo you prefer baguettes over bagels, croissants over kugel . . . I respect your culinary opinion.
DeleteWhen Kennedy was running for president, there was fear of the Pope running the white house.
ReplyDeleteFrench patriotism would call on you to fight for L É & F. But if you have a family, that's a type of heroism that should be expected of nobody.
Makes me want to go there and wear a kippah.
Me, I hope they stick around. Valls is right.
Steve
I myself do not think Israel can protect non-Iraelis. But I respect the choice of French Jews who feel otherwise.
Deletesteve, i'm with you on wearing a kippah there. though it troubles me since i don't wear one here. no other form of solidarity will suffice besides the religious act?
Delete