Nantes’ 600-year-old Gothic Church, the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, one of France’s most cherished landmarks, was intention-ally set ablaze by arsonists on July 18. During the conflagration, some 16th century stained glass windows were blown out and shattered, while a priceless 17th century church organ was entirely consumed in the inferno. Repairs to the structure will take several years. In the meantime, myriad questions have been reignited concerning religious persecution against France’s Christian and Jewish communities. A spate of thefts and vandalism in French churches has led to calls for the government to act.

France’s 475,000 Jews represent less than 1 percent of the country’s population. Yet …according to the French Interior Ministry, 51 percent of all racist attacks targeted Jews.

Anne-Elisabeth Moutet also noted, “Since the 1990s, as satellite Arab channels and later the internet, started spreading the anti-Semitic propaganda that’s the norm in the Middle East, the French State was slow in acknowledging the existence of a problem, and even slower in responding.”

Communist progressives, neo-Nazis and gilets jaunes can be violent. But most vicious of all are Islamist radicals who rage in their hatred for Jews and Israel. And as for Christians? ISIS has made its intentions clear: “The Christian community …will not have safety, even in your dreams, until you embrace Islam. We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women.”