Mon Dieu!

Though I am quick to say that the Jerusalem and Babylon of today are Israel and North America, I was fascinated to read this article in Ha'aretz reviewing the impact in French Jewish circles of Nicolas Sarkozy's election as President.  The article relates how many French Jews (though not the inimitable Bernard-Henri Levy) have re-assessed their traditional relationship with the left in France and have opted instead for Sarkozy.  One of the driving reasons has been Sarkozy's strong response to the rioting in the banlieus (the drab outer suburbs where many North African Muslim immigrants live - see this article here for background on the riots).  French Jews' fears over rising antisemitism proved tragically not unfounded after the murder of Ilan Halimi.