Jewish Citizenship in France: The Temptation of Being Among One's Own

by Chantal Bordes-Benayoun

Overview

The Jews of France have been liberated for over two centuries; they have been considered free citizens and equal to their compatriots. What purpose, then, does it serve to study their citizenship today? Until World War II, French Jews called themselves "Israelites;" they were deeply patriotic and had found a place for themselves in France's "community of citizens." However outbursts of anti-Semitism during that period reminded them that their new status prevented neither hate nor rejection; they had to persevere in the struggle for citizenship equity.

France has not been spared from recent movements demanding recognition of particular identities in the public space. Ethnicity in French political life has become increasingly obvious, in spite of the constant assertion of "republican values." Questions about immigration, nationality, and integration are constantly in the forefront of public life. Though, in France, the existence of ethnic and religious communities is not legally recognized, certain groups are designated as separate, often creating conflicts among them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412814744
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	10/15/2010
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chantal Bordes-Benayoun

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Jew as Citizen 1

Yesterday and Today

Jews and Politics

Survey

Problems of Method

1 Political Participation 25

Voting

Politicization

Leftwing Sympathies and Relative Distancing from Leftwing Parties

Rejection of Extremes

Particularism and Universalism

2 Reinterpretations of Identity 51

Practices

Integration

Identifications

Community Participation and the Tie with Israel

Anti-Semitism

3 The Double Temptation 75

The Temptation of Withdrawing among One's Own

The Election of the Chief Rabbi in 2008

Political Interventions

Conclusion: End of "Israelitism" or "New Israelitism"" 109

Appendices to Chapter 1 119

Appendices to Chapter 2 127

Bibliography 135

Index 139