"We are all Jewish," said Stephane Jaffrezic, Paris town councilor. She was amongst the 2000 Parisians gathered at the great synagogue to help comfort the bereaving family of Ilan Halimi who was kidnapped, tortured and slain by a"gang of Barbarians." Amongst them were not only Chirac, Villepin and other presidential hopefuls but also the country's Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders. France 2 devoted a large segment to it focusing particularly on the participation and dismay of non Jews."National solidarity is being expressed," said Villepin.

It is easy to dismiss such staged event but is would be a mistake. For it sends a message about the behavior and attitudes expected of a French citizen. It is in this dignified manner, democratic countries lay down the law.

France's Grand Rabbi Joseph Sitruk said:

From now on, in France, there will be the period before Ilan and that after Ilan.

Today, I ask all French citizens to all stand up as one man and shout loud and clear, 'Enough is enough.'

I am not optimistic enough to believe that the Rabbi is right but it did sooth my heart.