We pride ourselves on being a tolerant nation, but....

Paddyann UK Jews are not Israeli Jews, why should they experience anti-Semitic content in their own country, potentially metered out by recent arrivals?
British Christians would not be blamed for any atrocity in another Christian country could they?

there is a huge difference between being anti the Israeli state government re its treatment of the Palestinians and being anti semitic .I speak as someone whose family has many jewish friends and most of them are anti the israeli governments stance over Palestine ,indeed many marched through Edinburgh in protest against it .The land grabs and destruction of peoples homes and lives shouldn't be allowed to continue....and saying so doesn't make me anti semitic.

"But why would any western country welcome a woman who shuns one of its oldest and most courteous customs?"

The freedom of individual choice in western Europe does not extend to breaking laws. France or Britain must defend themselves against authoritarian religious beliefs and practices as they see fit, and legislate accordingly.

As for differences of opinion about what is or is not etiquette, I think that the more relaxed person is in a stronger position and so can tolerate someone who for whatever reason is inhibited or ignorant.

I always thought we had welcomed Jews and they themselves were fully integrated into the fabric of Britain

Same here Joelsnan. The recent furore about anti-Semitism and the Labour Party shocked me. I always knew Corbyn and co sided with Palestine against Israel, but it's as though Islam versus Judaism is the fight and it's been brought to the UK. Given the history of the Jews I naively thought no one had any grievances against a body of people in the UK who'd suffered so much.

I am aghast and shocked that there is so much hatred within the Labour Party.

Cynicism rules. Is Corbyn after the Muslim vote I wonder?

"When in Rome do as the Romans do" Why is that so difficult in modern culture. Why do you want to live in a country where you don't want to adapt to the customs? If British( or French) citizens go to Middle Eastern countries we are expected to conform whether we agree or not, in visiting the country surely we give implicit consent that we will conform. Indeed in some countries there are harsh penalties for tourists if they do not. The choice is simple do not visit or live in countries whose customs/principles you do not believe in. It's a pity I think that sometimes we are TOO tolerant and I say this as someone who has friends of different faiths and feel all people are equal

I'm relieved to live in the UK, where it isn't essential for a woman whose faith says no touching between men and women (who aren't related ?). isn't reason to deny citizenship.
I'd love to live in a society where all faiths and none were accepted. I don't and I fear this won't happen in my life time.

I cannot remember UK having issues with anti-semetism until recently. I always thought we had welcomed Jews and they themselves were fully integrated into the fabric of Britain. Maybe I was blind to this prejudice or is this a recent phenomenon as a result of intimidation by recent migrants?
Is our general tolerance and embrace of diversity fuelling a pressure cooker?
Should we ignore each groups calls of 'phobia' and hope we all eventually live happily ever after or should we also apply socially acceptable norms that we should all conform to?

I'm with you Eloethan why should anyone be compelled to shake hands? Surely thats a matter of choice ..religion or not .There are some folk I'd rather not shake hands with or air kiss ...nobody's choice but mine .

I disagree with the practice of not shaking hands with members of the opposite sex and think it's ridiculous, as are many religious or cultural practices.

However, I don't see why this woman should be denied citizenship on those grounds. I too think it's an abuse of power.

I realise I will be in the minority in taking this point of view.

My dil is French Muslim and she would agree with that article. She is also, as Fennel comments, very blunt in her opinions. She calls a spade a spade and I have to say, we both chuckle at and admire her chutzpah. No one messes with my dil!

She feels Britain is much more tolerant than France, though she thinks we can be too tolerant at times.

While we were living in France I noticed many times that french people are much less inhibited about expressing dislike of other groups than the british

I haven't lived there Fennel but we visit often. Yes, the French seem generally much more direct, open, blunt even. An in-law from Latvia is exactly the same. She says what she thinks in any conversation. At first it seemed brash and very un-British, but now I appreciate her honesty.

I think we say stuff behind closed doors that we hesitate to say out loud and in public and we have taken on board being politically correct and perhaps it's to our detriment. We may seem weak. The French get properly upset, and it' healthier I expect. They don't let upsets fester. This latest incident has highlighted something that is offensive and indeed rude. We've always shaken hands to greet and congratulate and so have the French, in formal situations.

We can live in peace and harmony I hope but that involves give and take. That's a two way process. I do think incomers have to appreciate their ways and norms, like the covering of faces, women being segregated, and refusing to shake hands. have no place in western culture.

8.8% in France, 6.3% in the UK.

www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/29/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/

Good for the French!

I would like to think there would be the same refusal to accept this woman here, but somehow I doubt it.

Completely agree with you JenniferEccles.

One in 8, about 12.5%?

While we were living in France I noticed many times that french people are much less inhibited about expressing dislike of other groups than the british.
I'm not sure why, maybe something to do with the different legal systems.
And France has a much bigger proportion of Muslim inhabitants than the UK. (France one in 8, UK 4.4%).

I do agree with what the French are doing. I see large numbers of muslim women here wearing floor length flowing black robes with a Chador? covering head, forehead and chin, flowing loose to the waist. Their girls from around age 5 have head coverings and ankle length skirts. The males wear normal western clothes. This does not seem integration and does seem sexist.

Good for the French!

I would like to think there would be the same refusal to accept this woman here, but somehow I doubt it.

We should not tolerate any intolerance that adversely affects the lives of others. If this means we are seen as intolerant ourselves, so be it.

We agree again niggly

What I feel is that if I wished to become a citizen of another country, I would automatically have to abide by that country's rules regulations and traditions. If I found these unacceptable I wouldn't apply to live there simple as that. France, like any nation in the world runs the country as it sees fit and it's not for others to try to buck the system. This of course just my opinion.