Muslim leaders boycott Jewish event after Muslims blamed for 'all' violent crime

Muslim leaders boycotted a Jewish community event in France after the head of the oranisation behind the event said Muslims were responsible for "all" violent crime in France.

The President of France François Hollande used his speech at the event to set out his plan to fight antisemitism.

The annual dinner was organised by the Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France (CRIF), an umbrella organisation for Jewish community groups.

Shortly before the event, the council's president Roger Cukierman told the French radio station Europe 1: "All violence, and we must say this, all violent acts today are committed by young Muslims. Of course, that's a small minority of the Muslim community and the Muslims are the first victims."

This led the French Muslim Council to boycott the event, which came amid mounting inter religious tensions in France.

There has been an increase in vandalism on mosques following the Charlie Hebdo murders and the shootings in a kosher supermarket. There has also been a rise in antisemitic attacks in France, including on hundreds of graves at Jewish cemeteries.

Mr Cukierman told the 700 guests at the dinner that he hoped relations will be "rapidly re-established" with Muslim leaders in France.

President Hollande called for "faster and more effective sanctions" against racism, anti-Semitism and homophobia. His government will unveil a new plan to fight hate crimes next month.

related articles
Hundreds of Jewish graves vandalised in France
Hundreds of Jewish graves vandalised in France

Hundreds of Jewish graves vandalised in France

French Catholic Church refuses to sign Charlie Hebdo free speech petition
French Catholic Church refuses to sign Charlie Hebdo free speech petition

French Catholic Church refuses to sign Charlie Hebdo free speech petition

Does humour help fight antisemitism?
Does humour help fight antisemitism?

Does humour help fight antisemitism?

Charlie Hebdo memorial in Paris vandalised 4 times in 2 weeks
Charlie Hebdo memorial in Paris vandalised 4 times in 2 weeks

Charlie Hebdo memorial in Paris vandalised 4 times in 2 weeks

News
A brief history of Christmas bans
A brief history of Christmas bans

These days, Christmas is hard to miss and nearly impossible to avoid. But at various times it has been banned in different countries, including Britain. This is the story …

Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact
Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact

Organisers of this year's Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic outreach have been "overwhelmed" by the response from local churches.

Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone
Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone

People are being urged to reach out after polling suggested 1.8 million UK adults will spend Christmas Day alone, even though they do not want to.

Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church
Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church

For Christians sheltering in the Holy Family parish in Gaza, there will be few comforts this Christmas.