French-Jewish MP threatens Israel over academic degrees

The French-Jewish lawmaker Meyer Habib says that if Israel doesn’t move to fully recognize French academic degrees, he will call on French Jews to freeze their plans to immigrate to the country.

The French parliamentarian gives Jerusalem a three-month deadline to enact a reform that would enable French doctors, dentists, nurses and lawyers to immediately start working in Israel, without having to pass difficult tests.

Habib, a longtime friend of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tells The Times of Israel in an interview that he believes Netanyahu is on his side but that the professional elite in the country places stumbling blocks in the way of a reform since they fear an influx in French professionals will lead to a decrease in the wages of native Israelis.

— Raphael Ahren