French Jewish MP gets death threat in envelope with white powder

“It’s sad and disconcerting to be in a situation where a member of the French parliament receives death threats because he is Jewish and a friend of Israel,” said French Jewish MP Meyer Habib.

By: Ariel Kahane, Dan Lavie and Israel Hayom Staff/JNS

French Jewish Parliament member Meyer Habib received a death threat on Monday when he received an envelope containing a white powder and a menacing letter.

The wing where his office is located in the French National Assembly building was evacuated for two hours, while 40 security officials and chemical experts examined the content of the envelope.

Habib, who represents France nationals living abroad in the French parliament, has required personal security in the past. In July, the threats against his life moved to social media. He has consequently consulted with France’s attorney general.

The threatening letter was full of anti-Semitic slurs and stenciled on a piece of paper supposedly taken from Habib’s office. The letter was also full of spelling mistakes and written in poor French.

Loosely translated, it said: “You aren’t French; you don’t belong in the National Assembly. You are only a f***ing Israeli terrorist with blood on your hands. We will feed you with what’s left of your small penis … until you die from it.”

Habib said in response: “It’s sad and disconcerting to be in a situation where a member of the French parliament receives death threats because he is Jewish and a friend of Israel. Beyond the personal aspect, I’m very concerned for the French republic, and I think a response and action is necessary at the highest level.”

anti-SemitismFranceFrench JewsMeyer Habib