Antisemitic acts at historic highs in France
According to a report from the French League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA), antisemitic acts reached a historic high in France last year. Between January and July 2021, the country saw a shocking 53 percent increase in instances of antisemitic vandalism and violence compared to the same period in 2020.
According to LICRA, the agency recorded 1,795 reports of antisemitic incidents across France during that time frame. This marks an all-time high for the group, which began tracking such cases in 1947.
One of the main concerns is a surge in street violence targeting the Jewish community, with 23 reported cases last year. That’s up significantly from just one incident in the same period 10 years earlier.
Other key findings from LICRA’s report include:
A 44% increase in school bullying targeting Jews
A 31% hike in vandalism on Jewish properties such as synagogues and shops
A marked rise in anonymous hate speech being spread online
A disturbing amount of graffiti proclaiming anti-Jewish sentiments appears on buildings in Paris and around the country, often accompanied by swastikas or similar symbols.
Faced with rising anti-Semitism and other forms of hate, experts warn that an increase in police surveillance and Jewish community self-organization is simply not enough.
“It’s only a temporary answer,” said François Zimeray, a senator and vice chair of the country’s Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, in an interview. “One needs to adopt a comprehensive national strategy to uproot this venomous hatred,” he emphasized.
