Tension flares in France after Jewish leader's anti-Islam statements

A head of Jewish community in France blamed young Muslims for anti-Semitic violence in an interview with French radio station Europe 1 on Monday. "All violence, and we must say this, all violent acts today are committed by young Muslims. Of course, that's a small minority of the Muslim community and the Muslims are the first victims," Roger Cukierman, the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions (CRIF), said, angering the Muslim community.

The head of the Great Mosque of Paris, Dalil Boubakeur, outraged by Cukierman's anti-Islam statements, is boycotting Tuesday's annual dinner hosted by CRIF, to be attended by French President François Hollande.

Jews are not the only religious group targeted by violent attacks in France. Muslims have been subject to attacks due to an increase in suspicion and negative feelings toward the French Muslim community. Reports of attacks on mosques and Muslim-run businesses in various places in France have led many French Muslims to fear rising Islamophobia. French media reported revenge attacks on Muslims in the aftermath of the Paris massacres, and many Muslims have become the target of renewed attacks on religious places of the Muslim community.

The number of anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic incidents in France has soared recently as the space of tolerance is diminished in French society. Anti-Semitic acts reportedly doubled in 2014 compared to 2013. Vandalism has contributed to an increasing sense of insecurity among French Jews and Muslims, as they feel threatened by possible attacks. France is home to Europe's largest Jewish population, estimated between 500,000 and 600,000 people. There are at least 3.5 million Muslims in the country as well, representing approximately 6 percent of the total population of 58.5 million.