However, I think the French government, and the police who have to handle so much of the internal mayhem, are more than concerned about this and would like to change it. Indeed the laws Michael refers to that forbid wearing of religious symbolism came as a result of these troubles.

For Israel to continue to be a place of assumed safety for Jews in the Diaspora – as it always has been – thought will have to directed to the disunity and divisiveness caused by political leaders such as Netanyahu who no longer think for the country, but spend their time entrenched in political game-playing, themselves the only vision they have. What we see happening now, especially with the democracy of Israel in mind and the rights of its citizens protected, is giving Jews all over the world a different and worrying perspective. We can take on board being in Israel and helping defend ourselves against aggressive, war-mongering Arab neighbours, but having Israeli citizens’ democratic rights eroded is quite another thing.