French racism report causes controversy

[occuserpens]

Looks like strict censorship...

French racism report causes controversy
A new report on racism in France has sparked controversy by recommending anti-Israel acts and comments be punished by courts as severely as instances of anti-Semitism.
The 50-page report, released on Tuesday, four months after being ordered by Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin, warns that racism of all sorts in France "radically threatens the survival of the democratic system".
Its author, award-winning writer, doctor and president of a humanitarian aid association, Jean-Christophe Rufin, suggested a raft of measures to combat racism and singles out anti-Semitism as a problem to be combated separately.
But one recommendation, that "unfounded" anti-Israel stances be criminalised to the same extent as anti-Jewish acts, has stirred debate in France, where media and political commentary is often critical of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Anti-Israel positions among radical anti-racist campaigners risked "a contamination which could put the lives of our Jewish citizens in danger," Mr Rufin argued.
Other recommendations in Mr Rufin's report included: video surveillance of Jewish cemeteries, clearer statistical databases permitting international comparisons, better national coordination, and heightened vigilance of Internet sites.
The study challenged stereotypes that perpetrators of hate-crimes often came from disadvantaged French suburbs predominantly populated by immigrant families from Muslim north African countries such as Algeria and Morocco.
"The new anti-Semitism appears more heterogeneous," it said.

[Mass]

1. This thing is 2 year old

I was wondering why they were referring to de Villepin as Interior Minister.

As far as I can say, it has not been enacted.

[occuserpens]

2. Here is a new one

Right, this story is from 2004. Here is a fresh article from YNet.

France: Anti-Israel acts like anti-Semitism http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3230786,00.html

[Mass]

3. Still not new - De Villepin has been PM for at least one year now.

and the report has been buried. This is the same AFP article that you have posted earlier and it is still 2 years ago. I know what is Ynet goal in posting that (anti-French campaign) but what is yours?

This is a report that was written 2 years ago and has been buried.

[occuserpens]

4. Got it - The Rufin report mystery

Yes, everything is clear, YNet reposted the old stuff. Thanks for pointing this out :-)
I've already posted this on their site ;-)

2006-03-22 The Rufin report mystery