French Jews Forced to 'Disown Culture'

The rising tide of anti-Semitism in France is causing some Jews to shed their Jewish identity, according to a visiting expert.

"People do not know how to defend Jewish culture, so they are turning against Israel, and some are even disowning the values of Jewish culture," said Dr. Shimon Samuels, the director of international relations at the Simon Wiesenthal's Paris office.

Sad events in France that could soon be echoed across Europe (though it wont be as visible, since France has one of the largest Jewish populations in the disapora) as the continent's often radical Muslim populations grow in numbers and strength. The result: Jews are forced to choose between assimilation and immigration.

He said 3000 Jews left France last year out of a total Jewish population of approximately 600,000. And he predicts a further 25,000 will leave if the situation does not improve.