France to fight relentlessly against anti-Semitism

French President Francois Hollande on Thursday pledged to clamp down on anti-Semitism while attending a memorial ceremony with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu honoring the victims of a shooting at a Jewish school in Toulouse. "France will fight relentlessly against anti-Semitism," the French head of state said, recalling the shooting spree by al-Qaeda inspired gunman Mohammed Merah, who shot dead four people including three Jewish children and a rabbi on March 19. Speaking to pupils, parents and teachers at the Jewish school, Hollande said France would take any necessary means to ensure the security of Jews and that of the French people at large as "their security is in the national interests of all the French." Hollande affirmed France would not be weak in fighting terrorism, and would drew lessons from Merah's case to improve the state's intelligence networks. Netanyahu expressed his determination to safeguard Jews, adding that barbaric hatred not only threatens Jews but also people from all faiths. Netanyahu is on a two-day visit to Paris at the invitation of French president. The two leaders met for the first time since Hollande took office in May, aiming to cement ties between the two countries. During their meeting, Hollande expressed hope "that Israelis and Palestinians will resume negotiations without conditions."