May 10, 2011
European Jewish, Muslim leaders denounce extremism
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Jewish and Muslim leaders in several European countries are joining to denounce the rise of far-right extremist groups in their countries.
In a monthlong initiative co-sponsored by the European Jewish Congress, the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, the Muslim Jewish Conference, the World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations and the World Jewish Congress, Jewish and Muslim community leaders are uniting to speak out against the increasing popularity of far-right extremist groups throughout Europe.
On May 8, under the auspices of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France, participants called on Muslims and Jews to reject the right-wing National Front Party, which has been gaining in the polls since its new leader, Marine Le Pen, has taken power.
“We are holding this event to make unmistakably clear that the Jewish and Muslim citizens of France stand united in opposition to the National Front,” said Rabbi Michel Serfaty, president of the Jewish-Muslim Friendship of France.
“Despite claims to the contrary, Marine Le Pen has not changed one iota the racist, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic politics of her father,” he said, according to reports, referring to the founder of the National Front party, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
