The Reality of Jew Hatred in France
“Our unity requires relentless resistance against antisemitism, against racism, against all forms of discrimination,” said the President of the French Republic on December 31. The order of the words matters. As President of CRIF at the time, in 2012 after the antisemitic Toulouse murders, I refused to allow a demonstration in Paris against both “racism and antisemitism” to take place.We must welcome Emmanuel Macron’s formulation. Anyone who claims that today’s France is the Germany of 1933 is lying.
Rising Antisemitism and Threats to Jews in France
Today, a majority of French people are aware of the rise of antisemitism and wish it to end. But it is not the majorities that make the news. Jews know that within the population, a growing number of individuals openly declare that they do not like them, particularly among the young, and that some intellectual, artistic, media, administrative, or political leaders suffer from emotional half-blindness, one-sided blindness, undifferentiated idealism, fatalistic resignation, fearful conformity, or, more cynically, opportunistic minimization. Jews know that behind attacks, threats, insinuations, lies, and laughter, there are not only personal indignations, lone wolves, or individual fools, but financiers of hatred manipulating social networks and corrupting respected institutions.The Role of Misinformation in Fueling Jew Hatred
They have seen the accumulation of lies about Israel, which through repetition have taken on an appearance of certainty without proof to the contrary influencing the hostility of its enemies. They understand that when terms such as famine, genocide, apartheid, or Shoah are used, well-supported counter-arguments are of no use. With a generation raised on TikTok, X, or their avatars, for whom unverified information is more credible than verified news—and who will tomorrow be the target of AI advances—the very usefulness of truth in the social sphere becomes obsolete. But their elders in “respectable” journalism, by confusing ideology and information, have paved the way.Deciding to Stay or Leave: The Choice Facing Jews in France
Jews in France remember with deep appreciation the expressions of solidarity from the Republic, but they note that these are weak shields against the impotence of the State in the face of increasing violence toward them. A very strong hostility among a large part of the youth, increasingly sensitive to Islamist propaganda, is observed in all surveys. The responses of educational and judicial authorities are perceived as ineffective in controlling these phenomena, in which Jews are just a canary in a coal mine where grisou (methane gas) is already present.
Demographic changes are likely to worsen this situation due to the declining birth rate, which already makes Islam the dominant religion in a significant number of schools in France.
Israel : where Jews can be Jews
Many Jews draw the consequences. French Aliyah has increased by 40%, and it concerns many young households. Emmanuel Macron declared in his speech that France “holds on” despite everything, which is a way of acknowledging that at its core, it is unraveling.
Young French Jews do not want their children to be treated as genocide supporters, to have to hide their Jewish identity, or to risk being attacked at any moment. They know that in countries where antisemitism seemed to be only a specter of the past, it has resurfaced with unexpected banality. They know that Jews’ flaw is being few in number, becoming collateral damage that people eventually get used to.
But they also know that they have a place to go. Leaving for a country at war is not the usual purpose of migration. Leaving a France that is their country and their culture, but which they feel is abandoning them, they no longer “hold on.” They know they will find a country itself torn, but where they and their children can be the actors of a destiny that is not theirs here. They have seen that despite tragedies, threats, mistakes, slanders, and divisions, Israel has not only “held on” but has emerged stronger from the ordeal. And they believe that their Aliyah will help it progress further.
How could I criticize them, even though I am one of those who think we must continue to fight here and now against the barbarity that threatens us?
FAQ: Jews, Antisemitism, and Jew Hatred in France
Q1: What is the main focus of Richard Prasquier’s article?
A: The article examines the rise of antisemitism and Jew hatred in France, exploring the challenges faced by Jews in France and why many consider leaving for safety.
Q2: Who are the Jews in France affected by antisemitism?
A: French Jews of all ages face increasing antisemitism and Jew hatred, from verbal harassment to physical threats, particularly affecting young families and communities in urban areas.
Q3: What forms of antisemitism are discussed in the article?
A: The article highlights both overt antisemitism, such as attacks and threats, and covert Jew hatred, including social prejudice, misinformation, and organized campaigns against Jews in France.
Q4: Why are some Jews in France considering leaving?
A: Many Jews in France contemplate emigration due to rising antisemitism, threats to personal safety, and the fear that their children might be targeted or forced to hide their Jewish identity.
Q5: How does Jew hatred affect daily life in France?
A: Jew hatred impacts the education, social, and professional lives of Jews in France, contributing to a climate of fear and uncertainty that influences decisions to stay or emigrate.
Q6: What solutions or actions are suggested against antisemitism?
A: The article emphasizes continued vigilance, public solidarity, and proactive measures by authorities to fight antisemitism and Jew hatred, supporting the rights and safety of Jews in France.
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