Israel’s ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, condemned a wave of antisemitism in France following the recent felling of a tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi, the young Jewish man murdered in 2006 by the “Gang of Barbarians.”
Zarka called the act “one of the most shocking events,” noting that Halimi was tortured for days before being killed. “His mother planted the tree in his memory. Despite it being just a tree, people came and cut it down. These individuals want to erase all memory of Jewish life in France,” he said.
Zarka described the surge in antisemitism as unprecedented in modern times: “We are facing an enormous wave of antisemitism in France, and across Europe. It is something not seen since the last century, with the rise of Nazism. The major outbreak occurred on Oct. 8, 2023, when even as Israel mourned its dead and counted the kidnapped in Gaza, crowds took to the streets in Paris, London, New York, and elsewhere, shouting ‘Death to the Jews.’”
The ambassador pointed to foreign influence in the recent surge, citing Qatar and Turkey as funding pro-Palestinian organizations whose activities created fertile ground for antisemitic attacks. He also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that the expected recognition of a Palestinian state inadvertently encouraged antisemitism. Zarka said that while Macron did not intend to promote such hostility, his remarks criticizing Jewish support for Israel have had the effect of emboldening anti-Jewish violence.
The escalating antisemitism is prompting many French Jews, the second-largest Jewish community in the world, to consider moving to Israel. “It is no longer a question of whether to make aliyah, but when and under what conditions,” Zarka said. Some community members are reportedly making extraordinary preparations, such as converting savings into gold to bring to Israel, evoking memories of pre-World War II precautions.
Zarka emphasized that French authorities are making significant efforts to combat antisemitism. “The Ministry of the Interior and the police are doing crucial work, but the sheer volume of attacks—assaults, vandalism, and other antisemitic incidents—is overwhelming. Jews are hiding their identity; they do not display the Star of David, wear a kippah, or mark their homes out of fear for their safety,” he said.
He also addressed incidents targeting El Al’s Paris offices and temporary visa suspensions for Israeli security personnel, noting that these issues have since been resolved.