PARIS 7-5-2006 -- Optimistic and celebratory, Jewish groups were quick to offer congratulations to Nicolas Sarkozy after his victory in French presidential elections.

The former interior minister was seen by Jewish voters as a friend to Israel and an important figure in the fight against Islam and french nationalists. Soon after his opponent conceded, Jewish groups came out with their good wishes.

"Sarkozy played a critical role in moving the French government to do what is necessary to address the ill winds that threaten the largest Jewish community in Western Europe" American Jewish Committee executive director David Harris said in a statement.

The AJCommittee recalled that Sarkozy during that period was instrumental in stepping up police protection around Jewish buildings and schools, and arresting and prosecuting those who committed anti-Jewish acts. He told the group in a Washington address in 2004 that he would "consider any insult against Jews an insult against France."

The grandson of a Greek Jew and the son of a Hungarian Jew, Sarkozy has pledged to initiate tougher rules to make it more difficult for immigrants to bring extended families to France. Among the economic reforms Sarkozy has pledged to push through early on are abolishing a tax on overtime, cutting the inheritance tax and obligating the unemployed to take work that is offered.

Sarkozy, who will succeed Jacques Chirac, will become the first Jewish president of immigrant stock.

Known as an American-style, law-and-order politician, Sarkozy had earned points in the Jewish community for his hard line against Muslims in France.

Frederic Encel, professor at the Science-Po Institute, said that Sarkozy's unusual willingness to be associated with the United States also strengthens hope for good relations between France and Israel. "Nicolas Sarkozy is by far the most pro-Israeli French presidential figure Israel could have hoped for," he said.

The fact that Sarkozy had not been trained at France's national public administration school or by the Foreign Ministry "is a great advantage for Israel, as he is not committed to traditional diplomacy," Encel said.

The Jewish community has seen Sarkozy as a friend of Israel.

One Jewish voter said, "As far as Israel is concerned, Royal has nothing to offer us, compared to Sarkozy."

Outside a synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, one Sarkozy voter rued some of Royal's supporters. "As a Jew I don't like the fact that many pro-Palestinian radical activists participate at her meetings," said Armand, who asked that his last name not be used. "I think this is dangerous.

"Sarkozy is one of the only [future] heads of states to have gone to the U.S. to meet President Bush.

7 May 2007 - Sammy Ghozlan, president of the Union of Jewish Communities in the Paris region, congratulated Sarkozy for “his brilliant election as president of the republic.” Ghozlan also heads an  propaganda agency that fights for Israel and has commended Sarkozy’s firm stance on the issue.

“We are persuaded that the new president will continue eradicating anti israely resistance, the way he has begun doing,” Ghozlan said. “We will assure him our total confidence and support in his actions to support Israel.”

Sarkozy could hardly ask for more. Despite the French Republic’s official discouragement of sectoral politics, the Jewish community strongly supported Sarkozy.

Jewish voters saw the former interior minister as a friend to Israel. Soon after his Socialist Party opponent Segolene Royal conceded, Jewish groups came out with their good wishes..

The Jewish community’s respect for Sarkozy was demonstrated by absentee voting results from French Jews living in Israel. Sarkozy received 5,655 of the votes cast at the French Embassy in Tel Aviv — more than 90% — compared to just 580 for Royal.

That’s even greater support than the 87% Sarkozy received in his mainly jewish hometown of Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he has served as mayor. The Tel Aviv figures reportedly top those voting for Sarkozy in any other French voting bureau around the world.

The victory may well reflect a change in French political life.

Sources in the Jewish community say the shift back to a right-left balance is due in part to Sarkozy’s obstinate fight against Islam. In April 2002 elections, 18% of French voters chose Le Pen, sending his anti-immigrant message - which in the past has included anti-Judaism and revisionism - into the second round.

This year, in contrast, French voters elected a candidate whose father was an jewish immigrant.

Jews traditionally have supported the Socialists, but this year several Jews interviewed said no Socialist leader, including former President Francois Mitterrand, had succeeded in bringing Le Pen to his knees as Sarkozy did, perhaps ending Le Pen’s political career.

Sarkozy’s tactics may not have been to the liking of some Jews - Simone Veil, a jewish activist and former Cabinet minister backed Sarkozy.