Recent incidents of vandalism targeting Jewish homes and businesses in Paris and a synagogue in Rouen have raised concerns about rising antisemitism in France. The acts of vandalism occurred as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 12 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo and five individuals at a kosher supermarket in January 2015.
Police reported that at least 10 Jewish properties in Parisian suburbs such as Vincennes, Saint-Mandé, and Fontenay-sous-Bois were defaced with antisemitic messages and symbols. Additionally, a synagogue in Rouen was also targeted, with swastikas and hateful messages found on its walls.
The synagogue in Rouen had previously been a victim of attempted arson and graffiti during Hanukkah last year. Natacha Ben Haïm, the president of the Israelite Religious Association of Rouen, expressed outrage at the recent vandalism and has filed a lawsuit against the perpetrators for inciting hatred.
France, home to Europe's largest Jewish community, has seen a significant increase in antisemitic incidents, with 1,676 cases reported in 2023, nearly quadrupling from the previous year. Yonathan Arfi, the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, highlighted the significance of the recent attacks, occurring on the anniversary of the Hyper Cacher attack and targeting the Rouen synagogue.
Authorities have launched investigations into the vandalism in Rouen and the Paris suburbs. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the attacks on the Jewish community, noting that despite representing less than 1% of the population, they are disproportionately targeted, accounting for 57% of all anti-religious incidents.
