PARIS (EJP)---French Interior and Worship Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie told representatives of the French Jewish community that France “needs you,” stressing that religions transmit “values and landmarks which contribute to the unity of the Republic.”

The minister was the guest of the Consistoire of Paris, the principal organization that deals with the religious needs of Jews in the capital, during a ceremony of wishes ahead of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

“Anti-Semitism, and more generally insecurity, are linked to the despair of young people who lack perspectives and landmarks,” she declared.

The State, she added, must guarantee the right of everyone "to practise without risk his worship".

Much applauded, Alliot-Marie said "he fight against anti-Semitism is an element of the French Republic pact,"pointing out that the number of anti-Semitic attacks has diminished during the last months but that "vigilance must remain."

"We are going to continue to reassure the worship houses," she said, mentioning that 254 synagogues, schools and Jewish cultural buildings are already put under police protection

"France is acknowledged as a model in the fight against anti-Semitism", the minister said.

Joël Mergui, president of the Paris Consistoire.

She was responding to the president of the Paris Consistoire, Joël Mergui, who expressed the hope “not to have to speak any more about anti-Semitism or security of the Jews in France".

He regretted "the surrounding anti-Zionism which has generated anti-Semitism.”

Mergui also said he wishes the construction in Paris of "the bigger centre of European Judaism.”

Israel’s ambassador to France, Daniel Shek, expressed the hope that the upcoming year, which will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the foundation of Israel, “will be the year of peace” and praised "the constant attachment of the French Jewish community to Israel."