France’s Jewish community faces a surge in anti-Semitism, since the Gaza war

Witnessing the explosion of acts of anti-Semitism in France since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, many members of France’s Jewish community are struggling to adapt to their new reality.

Quarter of Paris, a dozen worshippers gather in a dimly lit hallway after the Shabbat prayers. With its mellow atmosphere, the synagogue seems far removed from the Middle East, where Israeli troops are battling Hamas militants following the latter’s bloody October 7 rampage.

Yet French Jews have reason to worry. Since the Hamas attacks on October 7 and the subsequent war launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip, 819 acts of anti-Semitism have been reported in France: more incidents in three weeks than over the past year. The offenses range from verbal abuse and anti-Semitic graffiti to physical assaults and death threats.  

When asked how their daily lives have changed since October 7, the circle of believers pushes forward. Everyone has a story to tell. David, 20, says he knows of a group of Jewish friends who were followed and threatened by another group of young people.

“They weren’t even wearing anything that could identify them as Jewish!”, he said. “There used to be a consensus that you keep your religion at home, but even if people respect this rule [laïcité], they are pursued by ani-Semitism today.” Laïcité, France’s brand of secularism, means that religion is banned from state matters and public schools.

Hiding one’s religion isn’t “a factor which protects” anymore, David said.

“This is why [Jewish] people are withdrawing into their communities. It makes you want to get together with people who are facing the same problems,” he said. 

A week after the evening at the synagogue, which was protected by armed members of the French military for the occasion, David shared a number of messages from members of the Jewish community on their experiences since October 7 on Whatsapp. Here are several of them:

A comic book designer, 36, who wishes to remain anonymous 

“On a personal note, since October 7, I’ve been scared to go to Muslim/Arab neighborhoods or Muslim/Arab markets. It wasn’t the case before.   

I often speak in Hebrew on the phone, I listen to Hebrew music, my phone is in Hebrew; I’m scared that this can be seen or heard while I’m not paying attention and that I could be the victim of a verbal or physical assault. Let’s just say that now I’m conscious of an increased danger and I’m not at ease.” 

France24