French government slams 'anti-Semitic' violence at pro-Palestinian rally
(Reuters) - France's interior minister promised on Monday to crack down on anti-Semitism after violence marred pro-Palestinian rallies in and around Paris to protest against Israel's role in the two-week-old Middle East conflict.
France has both the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Europe and flare-ups of violence in the Middle East often add to tensions between the two communities.
Local media showed the burnt-down front of a kosher grocery shop in the heavily Jewish Parisian suburb of Sarcelles after a non-authorized protest on Sunday. Last weekend pro-Palestinian marchers clashed with riot police outside two Paris synagogues.
"It is unacceptable to target synagogues or shops simply because they are managed by Jews," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters during a visit to Sarcelles, which is also home to large non-Jewish immigrant populations.
"Nothing can justify anti-Semitism, noting can justify that kind of violence. This will be fought and sanctioned," he said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/21/us-palestinians-israel-france-idUSKBN0FQ0MD20140721
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