French MP in Israel: Toulouse shooting could be repeated

Meyer Habib expressed great concern after hundreds of Parisian Jews were trapped in a synagogue by pro-Palestinian protesters.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Mourning the Toulouse shootings 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Mourning the Toulouse shootings 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Violent anti-Semitic incidents in France are likely to be repeated if nothing is done to curb them, French MP Meyer Habib said Monday Habib (Union of Democrats and Independents) expressed great concern after hundreds of Parisian Jews were trapped in a synagogue by pro-Palestinian protesters.
The member of the French National Assembly, who lives in Israel and France and was holds the parliamentary seat representing French citizens living outside of France, also received threats to his life and asked to be given a security detail.
“I receive dozens of complaints from communities that, for the first time in decades, are not holding prayers in their synagogues because of pro-Palestinian protests nearby,” Habib said. “In 2014, Jews find themselves trapped in synagogues while thousands shout ‘death to the Jews’ and ‘we’ll kill you.’ The situation is very serious and disconcerting,” he added.
According to Habib, the French media fuels the flames of anti-Semitism.
“There is a dangerous connection between the extreme Left and Muslim groups. Today, I am afraid that tragedies like the one in Toulouse [where a Muslim terrorist killed four people in a Jewish day school in 2012] could be repeated,” he said.
At the same time, Habib said the French government is doing its job.
Last weekend, Habib, a close ally and former adviser of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, wrote a letter to French President Francois Hollande thanking him for supporting Israel.
“In the name of 150,000 French citizens living in Israel – most under rocket attack – I want to thank you for this gesture.
This is true, strong support,” he wrote.
Still, Habib criticized French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and other ministers for calling for a cease-fire without considering Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Civilians cannot live under nonstop terrorist attacks. Israel has the right to defend itself,” the MP stated.