French Jewish Leader Calls for Urgent Evacuation of French Jews Amidst Riots

Thierry Tobiana, Vice President of the Jewish National Fund in France, described widespread looting and destruction of Jewish-owned stores in Marseille during recent riots, stating that Muslim-owned stores were left untouched. He lamented that the French media has largely ignored these incidents, including the ransacking of nearly every store in the city center of Lyon. Tobiana expressed grave concern for the future of French Jewry, predicting that France could become "Judenrein" within years due to the consistent anti-Israel messaging from groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. He asserted that French Jewry is effectively finished, citing the pervasive influence of these groups and the lack of effective response from authorities.

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "unacceptable violence" and vowed that perpetrators would face justice. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen pointed to a deep crisis of trust and authority, while Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged the system's struggle to handle radical left-wing riots. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted that the situation had spiraled out of control in several cities and offered his resignation, which Macron refused. The weekend riots saw over two thousand arrests and a thousand security personnel injured, with approximately 1,500 businesses damaged, causing hundreds of millions of euros in losses.

Authorities in Marseille estimated that around 30,000 people participated in the looting. A police order now prohibits gatherings and demonstrations throughout the department. Tobiana noted the lack of French media coverage for attacks on Jewish property, including a synagogue break-in in Paris, which he claims is not spontaneous but organized by Muslim groups, far-left organizations, and well-known antisemitic groups. He believes that while some young French citizens join the riots, the driving force comes from organized groups, contrasting this with legitimate protests where more French women are visible.

Yitzhak Bar Shoshan, President of the Mizrahi movement in France, echoed concerns about the community's safety and the state's loss of direction, attributing the unrest to a confluence of economic, social, and political crises. He distinguished between legitimate protest and violence, noting the government's difficulty in asserting authority. Tobiana predicts that up to half of France's 450,000 Jews may emigrate in the coming years, with Israel being a primary destination, noting that over 4,000 French Jews are expected to immigrate to Israel this year. He believes a significant portion of remaining Jews, living in disadvantaged areas, may not be able to leave and will be unable to maintain their Jewish identity, leading to the erasure of French Jewry.