The richer among the French Jews are buying properties in Israel without making lots of noise. Some not so rich French Jews buy also. Just in case if the situation in France becomes untenable thousands of them make alternative plans for strategic retreat in the land of their forefathers. Moving to Israel among the French Jews is without any doubt the scenario that scores on the top. Will these second residences become one day the primary ones? The answer depends on many additional questions, by nature both French and Israeli.

Since 2002 an interesting phenomenon has been noticed among many French Jews. They have decided to buy second residences in Israel. Richer Jews are buying luxurious properties with waterfronts, not so rich are buying more modest, perhaps some condominiums without many extras. Thousands have already made decision, just in case, to have their place to go. 2002 is a special date in the post-WWII French history, in general, and for the local Jewish community in particular. The openly revisionist in his opinions on the war and Jews politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has succeeded to run in the decisive second tour of the president election. He failed to become a president but for many that was too much to bear.

French Jews represent approximately 1% of the whole French population or about 600,000. They have lived on this land before the name France has been invented by the monarchy. Several times they have been deported en mass only to be invited soon after to come back. During the WWII up to 20% of the Jews living on French soil have been deported to extermination camps, which almost none of them had survived. To have a president that openly questions the historic importance of the Holocaust isn't something that any normal person would tolerate. But for the Jews in France the point isn't only about history, it's also about the future and physical survival.

2002 has been also a watershed that put on higher gear the acts of anti-Semitism in France. They have more than doubled during the recent 3 years. Another ethnic community is quickly gaining in strength. The Arabs form officially 2% of the whole French population. Unofficially they are even more. The regional conflict in the Middle East for them is a struggle between "us" and "them" and the French Jews are used as easy target for those that pretend defending the Palestinian cause.

The French state plays an ambivalent role. Officially it stands for the rights and freedoms of all of its citizens. There is no doubt that perpetrators will be prosecuted and given to the justice. On the other hand, France is a democratic state. It can't be and it won't be outside the will of its citizens, of the majority of its citizens. The recent polls suggest that the anti-Semitism in France isn't only confined to some marginal social and ethnic groups. In fact thanks to the conflict in the Middle East the image of the Jews has been -tarnished. The 1950s and 1960s' predominant image of Israel as a modern country trying to defend itself against its aggressive neighbors are gone or almost gone. More and more French citizens look at Israel as an aggressive state that tries to dominate and oppress the Palestinians.

Feeling uncomfortable between the rise of the local anti-Semitic right, the rise of the local anti-Israeli ethnic and religious minorities and the uncertain protection in the future by the French state, many French Jews prefer not to wait until the situation becomes absolutely unbearable and already buy second properties in Israel. Fortunately the prices in Israel, although in absolute terms high enough, are relatively a good deal for those coming from Paris, and two thirds of the French Jews are living in the French capital. If in Paris $200,000 can buy only a small studio, in Israel this sum may be enough to buy large 3BR apartments. French Jews buy in Tel-Aviv and in other cities that under no circumstances will change sovereignty and under no peace plan will be put under Palestinian control. Officially thousands of French Jews have moved to Israel during the last years. Unofficially thousands more have bought their second residences just in case.

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