New York Times - Top Stories

Ephrat Livni

France’s national motto is “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” which represents the country’s values. But a case headed to court questions the country’s commitments to these principles.

Pranav Baskar

The case is about the French Embassy in Baghdad, housed in an elegant mansion that France leased from a Jewish family more than 60 years ago.

Ephrat Livni

The family says that France abandoned the lease to profit from an Iraqi campaign of antisemitism, violating French law and principles, and is suing the French government.

Pranav Baskar

France says it had to follow Iraqi dictates and that it’s a matter for the family to handle in Iraq.

Ephrat Livni

That means France is now in the awkward position of relying on discriminatory Iraqi laws in its defense even as it has pledged to speed up the return of Nazi-era loot.