| There were more anti-Semitic and racist acts in France during the first half of 2004 than in all of 2003, the government announced Friday. Out of a total of 230 racist acts against persons or property so far in 2004, 135 were of an anti-Semitic character. Threats and intimidation against Jews also made up almost three quarters of the total recorded. The figures are close to 2002 statistics and contradict a 37 percent drop in anti-Semitic acts last year. The proportion of anti-Semitic acts is exceptionally high considering how small a percentage Jews are of France’s ethnic minority population. Following a meeting Friday of the Cabinet Committee on Racism and Anti-Semitism, the government called on courts to hand out exemplary sentences to those who commit such crimes. |