Massive Anti-Semitism Protests Engulf France as Israel-Hamas Conflict Intensifies

Over 180,000 people took part in peaceful marches across France on Sunday to protest against the rising antisemitism in the country. The largest gathering, with 100,000 participants, took place in Paris. Although French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne did not attend, representatives from various political parties, including President Emmanuel Macron’s party and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, were present. Macron expressed his support for the protest and called on citizens to stand against the resurgence of antisemitism. However, Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, did not attend, criticizing the march as supporting the massacre in Gaza.

The interior ministry reported that at least 182,000 people marched in several French cities in response to the call made by the leaders of the parliament’s upper and lower houses. The march in Paris was heavily secured, with 3,000 police troops deployed along the route. Antisemitic acts have been on the rise in France since Israel’s war against Hamas, which started after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th.

France has the largest Jewish population in Europe, but the country’s collaboration with the Nazis during World War II has made antisemitic acts particularly sensitive. Many participants in the march expressed their solidarity with the Jewish community and their opposition to violence and extremism. Family members of French citizens killed or held hostage in the initial Hamas attack also participated in the march.

The large turnout was seen as a meaningful and symbolic show of support for Jewish communities in France. Patrick Klugman, a lawyer and member of the “Freethem” committee working for the release of hostages in Gaza, praised the mobilization and stated that he felt less alone. However, the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, Yonathan Arfi, questioned what actions would be taken against antisemitism in the future.

Israeli-French actor Tomer Sisley emphasized that the march demonstrated the majority of French citizens’ opposition to violence and hatred towards any religious or ethnic group. French authorities have recorded over 1,000 antisemitic acts in the country since the conflict in the Middle East began.

Former French president Francois Hollande highlighted the importance of freedom and human dignity, stating that these values unite the marchers. Macron, in a letter addressed to the French people, promised to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of antisemitic acts. He emphasized that a France where Jewish citizens are afraid is not the France he envisions, and called for unity and the pursuit of peace and security in the Middle East.

Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, attended the march despite criticism of her party’s antisemitic heritage. Le Pen dismissed the criticism and called on other politicians to refrain from political controversies during the march. However, her presence was met with skepticism, with some politicians accusing her party of hypocrisy for failing to sanction antisemitic officials in the past.

According to the Interior Ministry, there have been 1,247 antisemitic acts recorded since October 7th, almost three times the number reported in the entire year of 2022. Sunday’s march in Paris is considered the largest demonstration against antisemitism in France since a 1990 protest against the desecration of a Jewish cemetery.

Although France has banned several pro-Palestinian demonstrations, supporters have continued to march in various cities, including a recent protest in Paris calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.