Language:
French
Year of publication:
2009
Titel der Quelle:
Controverses; revue d'idees
Angaben zur Quelle:
12 (2009) 196-206
Keywords:
Antisemitism History 1945-
;
Jews Legal status, laws, etc.
Abstract:
A contribution to the debate concerning the trial of Y. Fofana and the "gang of barbarians", following the murder of the Jew Ilan Halimi in Paris in 2006. Criticizes the advocate of the Halimi family, Francis Szpiner (the defender of French Channel 2 against P. Karsenty in the Muhammad Al-Dura affair), for emphasizing the antisemitic character of the act in a way that reduces antisemitic acts to a residual category of behavior. Argues that the emphasis on antisemitism overshadowed the even larger problem of French suburbs having turned into hotbeds of violence, where the police do not dare to enter. Shows that the talk about antisemitism in this case was politically-motivated and not serious, since the maximum verdict advocated could not have been changed even if antisemitism was considered an aggravating circumstance. Denounces the prosecuting attorney, P. Bilger, for requesting a verdict of only six years instead of the maximum life sentence for kidnapping, torture, and assassination. Concludes that the outcome of the trial is unsatisfactory, and casts doubt on the capacity of the French legal system to deal with the new social situation that has emerged in France.
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