French authorities are investigating an alleged antisemitic incident in Paris after an elderly Jewish woman was verbally abused during a leaflet distribution campaign by activists from the far-left party La France Insoumise, or LFI, Europe 1 reported on Tuesday.
The incident took place Sunday afternoon in the city’s 19th arrondissement, where the woman lives. Activists distributing campaign leaflets arrived at her building and, after noticing a mezuzah affixed to her doorpost, told her they supported Sophia Chikirou, LFI’s candidate for mayor of Paris.
The woman declined to open the door, explaining that she had suffered a broken tailbone. According to the report, the activists then began shouting insults, allegedly calling her a “dirty Jew” and threatening to come back before fleeing the scene.
The woman contacted police and is considering filing a formal complaint. Security camera footage from the building’s entrance is being reviewed. Police said they hope to identify the suspects.
France has seen a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists in Israel.
Last week, French minister Aurore Bergé, who is responsible for government policy on combating antisemitism, said in an interview with ynet that the government plans to introduce a new law in the coming weeks aimed at strengthening the fight against antisemitism. The proposed legislation would carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros.