Another terrorist atrocity has just been committed in France, with the murder of seven people including three young children whose only crime was being Jewish. This massacre reminds us of the darkest hours of our continent's history.

This crime has a face, that of a young Frenchman. For as in the UK, Spain, and elsewhere in Europe, dark forces run rampant; they claim to be religious but are really a modern form of fascism.

The extreme right and the homegrown extremists now dare to exploit the event, themselves having a large responsibility in spreading hate and intolerance throughout our society.

Unfortunately they are not alone in making this link between immigration, terrorism and crime, and those who flirt with this rhetoric for electoral purposes should be ashamed.

Beyond the horror and pain that we all feel here, the Union has the duty to show solidarity with our French friends after this terrible ordeal.

And more than ever we must reaffirm our values, values of tolerance, respect for human life, values that have shaped Europe for over 60 years now so that never again are Jewish children killed.