French Rabbi Urges European Jews to Emigrate to Israel Amidst Unrest

Amidst a new wave of protests in France, Doctor Yitzhak Lax has called for Jews in France and across Europe to relocate to Israel without delay. His appeal follows a week of significant unrest in French schools, which he detailed in an opinion piece for Israel National News. The disturbances began on October 1st with the blockade of a secondary school in Carpentras, where masked youths reportedly waved a Palestinian flag and chanted "We burned Israel." Lax notes that the ongoing student protests have led to the partial or full suspension of classes in 400 to 500 schools, with some buildings vandalized or set ablaze. Approximately 78 school employees and 600 security personnel have been injured, and another day of protests was planned for Tuesday. Authorities have banned gatherings near over 100 educational institutions in the Paris region and the Oise department.

Lax believes the current situation transcends mere school protests, likening it to a full-scale intifada fueled by Islamists among the millions who have sought refuge in the EU since 2015, many from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He suggests that Islamist networks are exploiting social and educational issues to advance their agenda of societal control and religious influence. He cites a report of 1,320 antisemitic incidents in France in 2025, with an increase in physical assaults. Lax also references a March 2024 ruling by the Paris Administrative Court against Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi for depicting Jews as enemies and inciting hatred, and the conviction of two Islamic State supporters in the UK for plotting an attack on an anti-antisemitism march. He recalls past warnings from leaders, including former French President Emmanuel Macron on Islamists building a parallel order and former French Interior Minister on forces seeking an Islamist state, as well as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement that Jewish life in Germany is no longer safe.

Lax urges European Jews to "make aliyah right now," advising them to prepare documents, explore job opportunities, and plan their move, emphasizing that family and future are more valuable than material possessions. He acknowledges Israel's own security and social challenges but stresses that it is a sovereign Jewish state where the community is prepared to defend its members. He calls on Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and organizations like Ofek Israeli to actively promote aliyah, with planned employment conferences in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and London. Lax insists the Israeli government must develop a comprehensive plan for immigrant absorption, including housing, employment, professional accreditation, Hebrew studies, and education, with mentors and support contacts for each family. He implores the Israeli government and employers to prepare for mass immigration from Europe with clear goals, timelines, and funding, stating, "Come home. The sooner the better."