Antisemitic vandalism targeting Jews For Jesus headquarters denounced by French evangelicals
Shocking Antisemitic Attack on Jewish for Jesus Association in Paris
A deplorable antisemitic graffiti incident marred the premises of the Jewish for Jesus association, a member of the CNEF (National Council of Evangelicals in France), sending shockwaves through the French evangelical community.
In a statement, the CNEF, representing over 700,000 evangelical Christians, expressed their dismay and indignation. "We're appalled to witness this brazen antisemitic attack on the Jewish for Jesus association," they said.
The graffiti, replete with hateful caricatures, inflicted material damage and constituted a cruel provocation for the numerous members of the Jewish for Jesus team. The police received a complaint about the matter early Tuesday morning.
Jewish for Jesus is an organization that works among Messianic Jews (those who recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah) and is connected to the global movement Jews For Jesus.
The recent spate of antisemitic acts in France, largely tied to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, has been condemned by evangelical Christians. They've urged the French authorities to expedite action against this alarming trend.
Post-incident, the CNEF reiterated their call for action, stating, "We're renewing our plea and urging Christians to pool their prayers in the fight against this pervasive climate of hatred that continues to loom large in modern-day France." Their message concluded with a heartfelt appeal: "Let's also pray for the Jewish for Jesus team and for the Jews in France."
In a worrying trend, antisemitic graffiti and vandalism have been increasingly targeting Jewish and Jewish-linked premises in Paris, including those associated with the Jewish for Jesus movement. This resurgence of antisemitism in France has indeed been exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts such as the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, leading French Jews to become targets of hate crimes and vandalism[4][5].
The Jewish for Jesus premises in Paris are but one example of this escalating hostility, underscoring that antisemitic hostility is not confined solely to traditional Jewish institutions but extends to Jewish evangelical groups as well[3]. This uptick in antisemitic acts in Paris echoes a broader international pattern, where antisemitic violence and vandalism have surged alongside anti-Israel protests and extremist rhetoric[1].
The attacks on the Jewish for Jesus premises have left the French evangelical Jewish community feeling uneasy and threatened, and their safety and public presence are under a significant challenge[2]. The French authorities have been implored to act swiftly to safeguard Jewish institutions and individuals following these attacks, reflecting broader governmental concern about the resurgence of antisemitism in France and its impact on minority religious communities.
The attacks have also created divisiveness and anxiety within the evangelical community, with members grappling with how to maintain their religious expression and outreach efforts amid this growing hostility[4][5].
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Published in: Evangelical Focus - cities - French Evangelicals Condemn Antisemitic Graffiti on Jews for Jesus Premises
The shocking antisemitic attack on the Jewish for Jesus association in Paris has underlined the need for increased vigilance against hate crimes, making it a significant concern for the general-news and crime-and-justice landscape within France. The French authorities must take swift action to safeguard not only traditional Jewish institutions but also Jewish evangelical groups like the Jewish for Jesus association from such attacks.
The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict seems to have fueled a surge in antisemitic acts in France, extending hostility to the Jewish for Jesus community and posing a threat to their safety and public presence. In light of these disturbing trends, it is crucial for the French government to address this issue promptly and effectively, as a matter of both politics and general-news concern.
