I am against the burqu but in this case do not believe it should be banned. When it comes to banning clothing on religious grounds you have to take into consideration where it ends. Will they ban jews wearing kippot next or christians openly displaying crosses? I remember reading once an article about a woman who worked for British Airways and she wore a tiny gold cross on a necklace and she was banned from wearing whilst she worked with seeks who were allowed to wear their turbans. Also I believe in freedom of expression and freedom of speech. If she is harming nobody and its not a serious security issue then I do not think they should ban the thing.

If that had been Israel banning the bhurqa, the world would be up in arms: Soros' HRW would be screaming for heads; the UNHRC would demand a boycott; Obama and Powers would yell for a military strike; and building throughout Europe would be burned by Islamists. But alas, this is France and alleged democracy who is now busy trying to recolonize Africa so nothing will be said

It is all about security and recognition. Anyone can use it for crimes. Any face cover should be banned for males and females alike.

In principle the ban is applicable to all headgear that covers the face, including baklava helmets and crash helmets. As for religious symbols, they are not allowed in schools (including crosses and kippas).

How do you determine that? When throwing acid in the face of women is just one of the penalties for NOT wearing them (Google: women acid in the face, and see results). So how do we know who is making that choice? When they have to go home to who knows what sort of intimidation?

salma, you crack me up! HAHAHAHA! Go ask your hamas rulers how much rights you and the other women under their control have! They will tell you the truth! NONE!

France has the right to pass laws that they see are in the best interest of France. These muslims have their religious freedom. If their religious freedom violates the law of France then they should take their religion and go to a country that allows it. There are many, many, Islamic nations where they can go veil themselves.

That is just the point. It is not banned because of the religion but because it is potentially dangerous to the population. Anyone or anything can be hidden under these things. A terrorist with a bomb for instance. Of course, we know that muslims would never do such a thing, right! LOL

I understand that this new law might be somewhat anti democratic. However something else is at stake like CHAIM mentions: SECURITY !!!! We do not know who can be hiding behind those veils...Besides please do not make ANY comparison with the way Jews were treated in Europe...Jews lived as law fearing citizens in the countries they lived in and many kept a LOW PROFILE....One more point : how would you like your child to be taught by a teacher covered from head to toe?

that seemingly oh so frequent ingredient, is totally absent here. In "western countries' the laws have been enacted for the safety of the inhabitants. They were not issued for the sake of other countries desires. We, who live in these western areas, live accordingly to our laws. Total head coverings are illegal. Period. If persons who have moved or been born in these countries that have such regulations, live with it. If you abide by a religion that stipulates u wear total or coverings in contrast to the law of the land......either abide by these laws, apply for a change of the law, or move to a country that allows u to live as u feel u should in accordance with your religion. Its no mind twister is it? If a building is on fire, most individuals would suggest it a good idea to vacate that building, if u, due to your religious beliefs, feel it better to stay in the building, thats your choice. Don't attempt to encourage others, who live by the law of the land, to either join u in your lifestyle choice of clothing, or to stay with u in your choice of lifestyle. U choose to wear a religious garment, wear it in an appropriate environment. This means in France(along with many, many other countries)that u don't do so in the public domain. Abide by the laws of the land or live where they are more to your liking. If you don't like it.....MOVE!!!

You can't you notice "IF" in my comment?!

seen on Ynet, " somewhere in the middle should be where norms are set " indeed.

You are spot on. We are not allowed to walk into a bank wearing a mask, or drive a car with a balaclava. It is a safety issue. It is also a cultural issue. Here we take our hats off whenever we go indoors, it is considered rude to wear any form of head covering indoors.

are. Is it me or does it seem that way? They move to other countries to improve their lives and incomes. And then they also want others to change to their life style. If you like covering up then stay the heck in your own country or at least where it's acceptble. You can't have the cake and eat it too. How are we supposed to mak epeace with people that do not know their own boundaries?

How would you know "IF" it is the woman's Choice? Since the intimidation they face at home is not only well documented but hidden in most cases? Besides "honor killings", there is "acid in the face", "beatings" etc., a common and other well documented tactics. So it's hard for me or anybody to accept your point. Why YNET is afraid to print this post is bizarre, since nothing in it is mean or vulgar. You know the funny thing is this Salma, you would lose all freedom if the people you defend were to take control of all the worlds governments. As independent minded as you are, I suspect you would be stoned, don't you realize that?

if the people of the UK were given the choice we would overwhelmingly vote to have these terrifying spectres removed from our streets - they are not popular. I mean - why do westener women have to wear veils in muslim lands when they ain't a mussie? And why are Bible's and Crucifixes confiscated at airport entry in some Muslim countries? And that is what is the sickness is throughout Europe today. Everybody else does the accomodating while muslims just demand more.

I remember several years ago...as a teenager I was going to the store and couldn't believe my eyes. I saw a RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounty Police) officer wearing a black turbim with a police emblem on top rather than wearing a police hat. I was shocked! after time i started to think...ok its his religion so lets not be racist although it was definitely something to try to get used to. the problem with a burka is its degrading and also poses a security threat so i don't agree with them at all...i need my kids to be safe and i dont want some extremist walking the streets in a hidden costume being able to freely hide his/her identity! especially in todays world! we have far too muny immigration problems here as it is. the muslims come here and the majority of them take advantage of our social systems and our insurance corporations! this is fact! I am tired of the dishonest people that come here and use corruption to better their lives and screw ours! make them accountable just as my parents were!

Go to Gaza and you can wear your burqa with pride.