Paris is burning
Photo: AP
This is no intifada
Social issues, not religion, are behind Paris riots
The recent riots in France rightly caught the eye of the Israeli press. They were also a sign of the crisis facing France, one we must dissect and find solutions for.
In other words, these communities demand "work and dignity," as one Israeli newspaper wrote.
Gerard Araud is the French ambassador to Israel. The violence stems mainly from social and economic causes. The sectors of society that took part in the riots suffer from high unemployment (more than 30 percent in some areas) and many depend on the generous public handouts allotted in France. In addition, they experience discrimination in their day-to-day lives.
French Riots
Sever Plocker
Many Israelis believe France ‘deserves’ ongoing rioting, Sever Plocker writes
Their demands, which by the way are fuzzy because they are unorganized, are not political or religious.
Here, I must point out that although most (but not all) rioters were Muslim, their religion played no part in the riots. This was no "Muslim Revolt," but rather riots by young people who suffer from discrimination.
The demonstrators do not refuse to integrate into French society. Quite the opposite: They are upset about their slow absorption in France, and the fact their French citizenship fails to buy them the same benefits it does for other citizens.
In addition, as shocking as the riots were, it is important to keep them in perspective: This is no intifada, no civil war. It was a riot by underprivileged citizens, similar to other events that have rocked Western countries in recent years.
In light of the current situation, the government of France has set the following two goals:
- A show of force; to reestablish public order and protect citizens and property; to prosecute those suspected of violence to the full extent of the law; and to use the necessary legal tools to enable police to do their job
- A show of justice: French authorities know full well that suppressing the riots may be necessary, but will not solve everything. Therefore, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has announced a series of concrete steps (such as job creation and fighting discrimination), to aid those wanting to meld into our society.
France has a long tradition of absorbing immigrants. For generations we have welcomed those looking to make their homes on our shores – on condition they respect our constitution.
France is determined to continue on this path and will draw the necessary conclusions from mistakes made in the past.
