Green Streak of Hate: Paris Under Anti-Semitic Siege
A Wicked Streak in the Heart of Paris
Multiple Jewish institutions in Paris were visually defaced with green paint. - Multiple Jewish institutions in Paris defaced with green pigment
On May 31, 2025, a malicious, green-tinged tide swept over Paris, splashing onto various Jewish-linked sites. The mischief began at the Paris Holocaust Memorial, where the Wall of the Righteous, a monument honoring heroes who saved Jews during the Holocaust, was desecrated with green paint. Three synagogues, Tournelles, Agoudas Hakehilos, and Belleville, and an Israeli restaurant, Chez Marianne, joined the tragic parade of painted targets[1][2][5].
A Disgusting Act of Hostility
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in a statement released via the X online service, expressed utter revulsion at these appalling attacks, which he equated to the Jewish community[2][5]. Notably, Retailleau had already advocated for beefed-up security measures at Jewish institutions in light of the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, scheduled from May 31 to June 2[6].
Condemnation Echoes Across the City and Nation
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, adamantly denounced the attacks "with utmost firmness," asserting that such behaviors have no place "in our city and in our republic." In essence, she roundedly rejected any form of intimidation[3].
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, taken aback by the incident, called on the French authorities to promptly apprehend the culprits to shield the Jewish community from hate and violence of all sorts. A poignant connection could be drawn between the defaced institutions and Herzog's great-grandfather, who once ministered at one of the vandalized synagogues[3].
The Israeli embassy in France voiced dismay at the hate-fueled attack, stating their solidarity with the Jewish community and unwavering trust in French authorities to secure justice[3]. They also condemned the "troubling unrest" that had ensued in the past two weeks, acknowledging that it reverberated not only in Israel but also in Jewish communities across the globe[3].
Turbulent Waters: France and Israel
The recent attack in Paris comes on the heels of tense exchanges between French and Israeli officials. French President Emmanuel Macron had clamored for economic sanctions from the EU against Israel if the country failed to permit adequate aid deliveries to the embattled Gaza Strip, given the humanitarian crisis[4]. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Macron of leading a crusade against the Jewish state[4].
Fear Stalking the Lanes of Paris
The recent spate of anti-Semitic acts in Paris is alarming, but not an isolated incident. The safety of the Jewish community has been persistently threatened in France since the conflict in Gaza erupted on October 7, 2023[5]. In 2024, a staggering 1,570 anti-Semitic incidents were documented in France, a three-fold increase compared to 2022[5].
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has reported a surge in both anti-Muslim prejudice and anti-Semitism across various EU nations since the commencement of the Gaza conflict[5]. Regrettably, instances of graffiti at the memorial and other attacks have been a recurring headache for authorities[5].
In conclusion, the sinister green streak that marred Paris is a harbinger of a larger, seemingly intractable issue. As tensions simmer in the Gaza conflict and elsewhere, the need for unwavering vigilance and robust measures to safeguard Jewish communities becomes increasingly pressing[5].
- Amidst the rising tension between France and Israel, the French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emphasized the importance of community aid, particularly for the Jewish institutions in light of the Shavuot festival and the escalating incidents of anti-Semitic attacks in Paris.
- The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights reported a surge in both anti-Muslim prejudice and anti-Semitism across various EU nations, and this troubling trend was highlighted by the recent spate of anti-Semitic acts in Paris, emphasizing the need for aid for the construction of new buildings to provide secure facilities for religious communities.
