Marseille Jewish Shop Owner Describes Looting Amidst Unseen Police

Following recent protests and looting in Marseille, a Jewish shop owner, identified only as D., described a night of widespread vandalism and theft in the city center. He reported that while businesses were being broken into and looted, police presence was concentrated on protecting government buildings, leaving commercial areas vulnerable. D. recounted witnessing small groups of masked youths, often on scooters, smashing storefronts and emptying shops, including luxury brands, within minutes. He stated that when he called the police, he received no answer or was told no teams were available, and was advised to contact insurance.

D. expressed fear of retaliation and chose to remain anonymous, concerned that looters might target his own shop if his identity became known. He emphasized that insurance does not alleviate the distress of business owners who have invested years into their livelihoods. He also suggested that some of the rioters were motivated by more than just cost of living protests, noting that some carried Palestinian flags and that the violence was not a legitimate form of protest.

In contrast, the Chief Rabbi of Paris, Moshe Sebbag, reported that Jewish life in the capital remains largely normal, with synagogues and Jewish schools already under regular security that was not increased. He addressed reports of a break-in at a Paris synagogue, clarifying that it was unrelated to the recent riots. Rabbi Sebbag expressed concern about the involvement of Islamic elements in the unrest, calling it a threat to French civilization. He also suggested that the violent protests were being fueled by the left and far-left, whom he accused of antisemitism, in contrast to centrist and right-wing parties supportive of Israel and the Jewish community. He noted that some government officials attribute the events to far-left groups associated with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's party, rather than solely spontaneous protests over living costs.