‘Irresponsible’ Sharon prompts French outcry

AN appeal by Israel’s leader for French Jews to flee for their safety prompted an outcry in France yesterday, with lawmakers and Jewish groups urging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to mind his own business.

The president of France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, said Mr Sharon "missed a good opportunity to keep quiet".

"These words are inadmissible, unacceptable and, furthermore, irresponsible", Jean-Louis Debre told Europe-1 radio, adding to a chorus of complaint in Paris from the government and opposition groups.