French Riots See Synagogue Vandalized, Jewish Businesses Looted
Jewish leaders call for a state of emergency as unrest spreads across France, with reports of targeted attacks on religious and commercial properties.
A synagogue was vandalized and Jewish businesses were looted and ransacked during recent riots across France, prompting calls from Jewish leaders for a state of emergency.
In Paris, a synagogue in the 19th arrondissement sustained damage, as captured in footage released by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). Sacha Roytman, CEO of CAM, stated, "When chaos and violence take over the streets, synagogues are the first to suffer." He added, "The desecration of the synagogue in Paris is a clear warning sign: What begins against Jews never stops there."
The interior of the temple showed signs of disarray, with tables, chairs, prayer books, and other items tossed about.
A member of the temple suggested the synagogue was targeted due to antisemitic motives, stating, "They must have thought that since they are Jewish, there must be money there." He added, "It can’t be a coincidence that they chose to target a Jewish place of worship."
In Marseille, France's second-largest city, rioters reportedly vandalized dozens of shops, stealing items ranging from high-end merchandise to basic necessities. Ariel Goldmann of the Unified Jewish Social Fund (SPCJ) confirmed that some of the affected businesses were owned by Jewish individuals. While one journalist claimed Jewish-owned shops were specifically targeted while Muslim-owned stores were spared, Goldmann noted there is no definitive evidence of this and the SPCJ is working with authorities to determine the motives.
Jewish leaders have called on President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency amid the escalating unrest, which stems from ongoing student protests. Bruno Benjamin, president of the Marseille-Provence branch of the CRIF, an umbrella group of French Jewish institutions, urged the government to "send in the army, massively increase law enforcement personnel and arrest these rioters and vandals by every means." Benjamin expressed concerns about the police's ability to manage the situation, stating, "We are questioning whether they can ensure everyone’s safety."
Meyer Habib, a former French-Jewish lawmaker, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the looting of shops and calling on the French populace to "Wake up before it’s too late."
