Wiesenthal Centre to French Higher Education Minister: “In Light of the Science Po Antisemitic Disfiguration, it is Urgent to Equip all Schools and Universities with CCTV”

Paris - The Wiesenthal Centre expressed outrage at the anti-Semitic graffiti attack on the facade of theprestigious Paris Institute of Political Studies, commonly known as “Science Po.”

Founded in 1872 as the Paris School of Political Studies, it was charged “to promote a new class of French politicians, in theaftermath of the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.”

The Centre’s Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, noted that, "in 1898, France was divided over the DreyfusAffair, between 'Dreyfusards' bent on justice for the Jewish officer falsely charged with espionage and treason, while 'anti-Dreyfusards' were openly anti-Semitic."

Yet, the School of Political Studies announced its position on the case as “neutral and apolitical.”

The Centre commended the current management of Science Po, for promptly condemning “this odious and cowardly act” and for “itsimmediate removal of the racist graffiti.” These consisted of a crossed-out Star of David, “Death to Israel” and “Kuffar” (meaning disbeliever or heretic in Arabic).

Samuels expressed appreciation to French Minister for Higher Education, Frédérique Vidal, for her statements, including “Hate has noplace in our Republic!”

In order to more rapidly identify the perpetrators of such hate, Samuels urged that CCTV cameras be placed at all schools anduniversities across France.

For further information, contact Shimon Samuels at csweurope@gmail.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament(Parlatino).