Antisemitic incidents increased by 69 percent in France
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe revealed rise in documented hate crimes targeting Jewish people
French Jews said antisemitism in their country had become a “daily occurrence” after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe revealed a 69 percent increase in documented hate crimes targeting that minority.
While figures “had been down for two years, the number of these acts increased by more than 69 percent in the first nine months of 2018,” Philippe wrote on Facebook.
He provided no further statistics in the statement published late Thursday, in which he commemorated the Kristallnacht pogroms of 1938 in Germany and Austria against Jews.
The acts that constituted the statistic Philippe did offer include “the most violent incidents, and they reflect the perseverance of anti-Semitism and its development into a daily occurrence,” the CRIF umbrella group of French Jewish communities wrote in a statement.
Philippe wrote that “Every assault perpetrated against one of our fellow citizens because they are Jewish resonates like a new Kristallnacht.” He added that his government is determined to protect French Jews, including by improving how complaints to police are made and processed.
The annual report by the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights for 2016 counted 335 anti-Semitic incidents compared to 808 the previous year — the sharpest drop on record since 2001.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
