French Jewish Community Faces Rising Antisemitism Amid Protests
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
David Ben-Basset criticizes France's handling of rising antisemitism amidst protests, citing attacks on synagogues and historical grievances. He argues that protests have become a cover for hatred, forcing French Jews to apologize for Israeli actions. Ben-Basset also points to France's colonial past and the influence of the Muslim electorate on politicians as contributing factors to the current situation, warning that the country will pay the price for its moral ambiguity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Antisemitic incidents in France are rising, with 1,320 recorded in 2025.
- A synagogue in Paris was attacked, with its Ark of the Covenant breached.
- Protests have become a cover for hatred and antisemitism, according to the author.
- French politicians are accused of fearing the Muslim electorate, compromising principles.
- France's colonial past and historical betrayals are cited as contributing factors.
The article expresses alarm over escalating antisemitism in France, particularly in the context of recent protests. The author, David Ben-Basset, criticizes the French leadership's international stance, contrasting it with the perceived reality of rising threats to the Jewish community. He highlights an attack on a synagogue in Paris's 19th arrondissement, where the Ark of the Covenant was breached and prayer items were desecrated, questioning the moral justification for targeting Jews.
Ben-Basset argues that the protests, marked by the display of Palestinian flags and calls for "Free Palestine," have become a cover for hatred and antisemitism, forcing French Jews to apologize for the actions of the IDF and the Israeli government. He draws parallels to historical instances of antisemitism in France, such as the Dreyfus Affair and the Vichy regime, and cites statistics indicating a significant rise in antisemitic incidents, with 1,320 recorded in 2025, including an attack on a synagogue in La Grande-Motte where a police officer was injured.
The author criticizes the French government's response, suggesting that the need for security around Jewish institutions points to systemic failures. He also addresses the challenge posed by Islamism, referencing a 2025 survey where 44% of Muslim respondents reportedly prioritized religious laws over French law. Ben-Basset contends that politicians in France, like in Britain, are influenced by the Muslim electorate, leading to a compromise of principles for political gain and a failure to confront extremism.
Furthermore, the article revisits historical grievances, recalling the French arms embargo during the Six-Day War and the delayed delivery of Mirage jets to Israel, which Ben-Basset views as a betrayal. He also points to France's colonial past, citing instances of torture and disappearances in Algeria, the killing of Algerian protesters in Paris in 1961, and the brutal suppression of uprisings in Madagascar and Senegal, noting that Macron only acknowledged a massacre in Senegal in 2024, 80 years later.
Concluding with a strong indictment, Ben-Basset accuses protesters of being "useful idiots" who have emboldened antisemitism by supporting the Palestinian cause and falsely accusing Israel of genocide. He warns that this hatred, symbolized by the Palestinian flag displayed amidst vandalism, will not end with Jews, and that France will pay the price for its moral ambiguity and failure to confront extremism, urging leaders to acknowledge their responsibilities and provide a more dignified place for victims in historical accounts.
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