92000E3375

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3375/00

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(25 October 2000)

Subject: Anti-Semite violence in Europe; fire in the Trappes synagogue in France

The wave of anti-Semitism sweeping through France, where the synagogue in Trappes, near Paris, was set on fire, is extremely worrying. This attack, and the aggression displayed towards a group of children, are the most alarming in a series of acts of violence perpetrated on European citizens of the Jewish faith.

In other European Union countries too, Jewish communities continue to be the target of attacks endangering the safety of their members. To make the atmosphere even more tense, there are statements such as those by former Italian Council premier, Massimo D'Alema, who in speaking of the ferocity of Israeli citizens helps to stoke anti-Semite feeling within the EU.

What initiatives does the Council intend to take to combat these crimes and to check this ominous phenomenon?

Does the Council not consider that it should condemn all anti-Jewish statements by politicians in the Member States?

Reply

(20/21 December 2000)

1. The Council condemns the acts of violence mentioned in the written question.

2. The Council draws the Honourable Member's attention to the reply given to Written Question E-3089/00 concerning an attack on a Jewish teacher by a group of neo-Nazi skinheads.