Paris, 7 July 2023

Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr Shimon Samuels, noted with amazement “the clemency French Judges show when it comes to Islamists.”

We were invited to the offices of a Magistrates Trade Union. While waiting, we remarked that on the notice board were photos with followers of BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel) in a Kosher Supermarket smashing food off shelves.

The murderer of Sarah Halimi, tortured by her Islamist neighbour who was screaming “Allahu Akbar” as he threw her from her 3rd floor balcony. The Judge ruled him unfit for trial as he was suffering from the effects caused by cannabis.

Hassan Diab was extradited from Canada to France, for trial of the 1980 bombing of the Copernic Synagogue but was returned to Ottawa, while claims were still being upheld against him. He was later judged “guilty in absentia.”

Too many judgements for antisemitism have ended with a lenient tap on the wrist.

In Lyons, the Mayor had accepted to host a public meeting with Salah Hamouri, recently deported by Israel to France. With him on the podium were to be Jean Samouiller of Amnesty International France and other Israeli bashing invitees. Hamouri is alleged to have links to the Popular Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), listed by the EU and USA as a terrorist group. Our Centre was instrumental in convincing the Mayor of Lyons to cancel the meeting. However, a judge in Lyons decided to restore the programme.

Thus, on 22 June, Hamouri made his presentation on “Palestine-Israel Colonization/Apartheid,” under the auspices of French BDS.

Once again, a French judge has shown compassion for those reputedly connected to terrorism.

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For further information, contact Dr Samuels at csweurope@gmail.com