Sixtieth anniversary of the Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France - Speech by M. Jacques Chirac, Paris 22.05.2003
[CRIF – representative council of France’s Jewish institutions]
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FIGHT AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA
France is not, and never will be a juxtaposition of communities, with their rivalries and antagonisms.
And I’d like to tell you, solemnly, what, for me, is a fundamental imperative.
In our Republic – respectful of all diversity, but one and indivisible – no one, on the grounds of their roots or beliefs, is justified in insisting on special rights for themselves or their community, in releasing themselves from duties which all have to obey, or claiming something for their own community which is not legitimate for their fellow citizens as a whole. The State does not deal with communities, but citizens. Our only community, let’s never forget, is the national community.
Similarly, in our secular Republic, the principle of secularism is much more than an asset. It’s the pillar of our unity and cohesion, the practical expression of our national solidarity of which it is the sine qua non. Secularism is an extraordinarily modern value insofar as it expresses this spirit of tolerance, respect and dialogue which more than ever before has to prevail. It’s a principle on which we won’t compromise. Only a better knowledge of the Other, respect for the differences between us, and the organization of a trustful dialogue can ensure peace and progress.
CONFLICTS EXTERNAL TO FRANCE
Finally, in our Republic there can be no place for tension linked to conflicts which are external to our country.
Given the diversity of our origins, I can understand people here feeling concern and pain because their hearts, their closest ties, families and traditions incline them to focus their attention on regions torn apart by the conflicts. I am thinking, of course, of the situation in the Middle East. But nothing warrants this leading to tensions between French people.
Ten years ago, I celebrated with you the CRIF’s half century and all of us were then fired with a tremendous hope. It was just after the signing of the Oslo Agreements. Today, hope has given way to a feeling of helplessness. And it is difficult, ten years later, to talk about this cruel impasse into which everyone has gradually tragically become locked.
FRANCE/MIDDLE EAST
You know France’s position. It rests on the peoples’ profound aspiration for peace. It consists in grasping every opportunity to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. It is calling for everyone to see reason on the basis of the acceptance of four principles.
The first of these principles is Israel’s legitimacy. Israel’s existence is an indisputable right. Israel’s recognition and her right to security remain the first condition for peace.
The second principle is the recognition of the Palestinians’ right to have a sovereign State. Israel exists. The time has come for a Palestinian State to exist alongside her.
The third principle is democracy. Despite the dangers, threats and wars, Israel has found the way to entrench a living democracy. We share with her the values, principles and demands of freedom. These are the same principles which tomorrow will have to prevail in that Palestinian State for which we are so earnestly calling. History has proved recognized borders and free elections to be the most reliable remedies for collective misfortune.
The fourth principle whose affirmation is necessary for the advent of peace is cooperation. France condemns out of hand all the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the Israelis. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing of civilians. Nothing can render that ideology of death tolerable. But nor can anything justify the tit-for-tat spiral of violence. Peace can’t be made on one’s own. To use the words of a great Israeli whose death is mourned by all men of peace, Yitzhak Rabin, "one negotiates with one’s enemies". To build peace between Israelis and Palestinians, everyone will have to give up wanting to impose the impossible. Everyone must gauge what the other can under no circumstances accept. Everyone has to get to know and respect the other. Everyone will have to do their bit. Only by doing this will, in what we hope is a near future, two States, Israel and Palestine, be able jointly to find a way out of this problem and live peacefully side by side. Rest assured that France will not spare her efforts to bring about the establishment of this so longed-for peace. (…)./.