French Riots Fuel Online Antisemitic Attacks Blaming Jews
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
An analysis by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) reveals that France's recent riots were exploited for a coordinated online antisemitic campaign blaming Jews and Israel for the chaos. The report documented over 1,300 posts linking the riots to Jewish people or Israel, with some calls for violence. This pattern of blaming Jews for crises has been observed multiple times recently, with social media platforms amplifying extremist messages. CAM's CEO called for decisive action from French authorities and platform managements.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- French riots were exploited in an online campaign blaming Jews and Israel for the chaos, according to CAM.
- The analysis documented 1,384 posts linking the riots to Jews or Israel between October 16-18.
- Some posts explicitly called for violence, expulsion, or extermination of Jewish people.
- This is the fourth time in three months a similar conspiracy narrative blaming Jews for a crisis has emerged.
- Paid "blue check" accounts on X amplified extremist messages, reaching millions of views.
- CAM's CEO called for strong action against rioters and platform accountability.
Amidst the ongoing protests and riots in France, and following the desecration of a synagogue in Paris's 19th arrondissement, the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) has released a special analysis. The findings reveal how France's internal crisis was rapidly transformed into a coordinated online incitement campaign on X (formerly Twitter). This campaign, analyzed between October 16-18, accused Israel, Jewish institutions, and the Jewish people of responsibility for the chaos and destruction. The report documented 1,384 posts linking the riots to Jews or Israel, with some explicitly calling for violence, expulsion, or extermination.
The study highlights modern blood libels, with online opinion leaders claiming the Mossad is "burning France right now" and framing the riots as a "civil war planned by Jewish elites."
While many accounts linked French President Emmanuel Macron to the Rothschild family, far-right activists with hundreds of thousands of followers amplified explicit calls like "The Jews did this to France, don't let them do it to America." The report also illustrates how the platform itself amplifies incitement, with paid "blue check" accounts (X Premium) disseminating extreme messages that gain massive exposure, reaching millions of views by exploiting the algorithm that promotes them.
Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM, stated, "We are once again witnessing the same distorted pattern where hatred of Jews and Israel becomes the automatic explanation for every national crisis. More seriously, social networks incentivize hate spreaders instead of blocking them. French law enforcement must act decisively against the rioters, and platform managements must stop this anarchy before lives are lost." CAM is a global, non-partisan coalition dedicated to eradicating antisemitism and protecting Jewish communities worldwide, utilizing advocacy, digital campaigns, field activities, and real-time research through its Research Center (ARC).
Mentioned
