A Little Anti-Semitism

In a show of what's right with the French Republic, tens of thousands marched in Paris this morning to honor the violent death of a young Jew, Ilan Halimi, and make a plea for the elimination of anti-Semitism.

Halimi was a young man of 23 when he was kidnapped by a gang after being enticed by a young woman. Three weeks later, he was found naked with horrific burn and stab injuries. He died on the way to the hospital.

The suspected gang leader, who has been arrested, apparently picked Halimi because he was a Jew, and therefore presumed to be rich. After all, they run all the banks, right?

A leading French Jew said at the demonstrations, "It's important for French society to realise that little anti-Semitic and racist prejudices can have terrible consequences."

True indeed, but let's go farther: It is important for Islamic society to realize that rampant, virulent anti-Semitism can have even more terrible consequences, like having presidents of important nations pledging to "wipe Israel off the map." The holy men of Islam continue to allow anti-Semitism to flourish in their countries, despite the teachings of the Koran -- which they hold so dear in other cases.

Where is the brave and forceful Muslim who will lead this faith to reform?

Note: Agence France Presse reports: "Although the gang allegedly includes whites, blacks and Arabs, media attention has focused on its Muslim members, stoking animosity between members of France's 500,000-strong Jewish community and the five-million-strong Muslim population."

Source and photo credit: BBC
Related Tags: Anti-Semitism, Halimi, France, Jews, Iran