Anti-semitic acts almost doubled in France, Jewish group says

Violent acts and threats against Jewish people almost doubled in France in the first seven months of this year, the CRIF, a Jewish association, said today in a statement.

There were 527 such incidents reported, or up 91 percent from the same period last year, the CRIF said on its official Facebook page.

The CRIF said the number of acts peaked during demonstrations against Israel's military operations in the Palestinian territories in July. The violence also rose in January after the government banned a traveling show by stand-up comic Dieudonne, citing anti-Semitic content.

"Anti-semitic acts have risen significantly since the start of the year," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told Le Monde daily today. "Since May, I have ordered greater protection measures for all places of worship."