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French ministers condemn ‘Hitler’ death threat against Jewish tourists
Australian Jewish couple were allegedly threatened with being shot after a supermarket conversation turned to Israel
French ministers have condemned an antisemitic death threat against a Jewish couple after they were allegedly told that Hitler should have “finished the job” during a confrontation in a supermarket.
The Australian tourists were approached by an Irish man while shopping in Avignon on Tuesday, before what began as a friendly conversation became hostile after the couple revealed they were Jewish and mentioned Israel.
Footage filmed during the encounter shows the man threatening to “put a f***ing bullet” in their head.
The incident has now drawn a response from the French government, with tourism minister Serge Papin and equality minister Aurore Bergé condemning the threats “in the strongest possible terms”.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the ministers said the man had allegedly made “serious antisemitic remarks” before threatening to kill the couple.
They added that comments invoking the Holocaust “cannot be trivialised or tolerated” and pledged that antisemitic threats would not be allowed to go unanswered.
Papin said: “France is a welcoming land, open to all those who wish to discover it, regardless of their nationality or religion. No tourist should be targeted, threatened, or discriminated against because of who they are or what they believe.
“Antisemitic acts are an attack on our values and have no place in our country. To all those who come to France: you are welcome. Our country must be and will remain a destination where everyone can stay freely, with dignity, and in safety.”
Bergé added: “France will never compromise with antisemitism and hatred. Our country is particularly mobilised, especially since 7 October 2023, and will remain so for as long as necessary to ensure that no one ever has to suffer hatred because of their origin or their real or perceived identity.”
Details of the confrontation were first reported by The Jerusalem Post, which spoke to the Australian Jewish Association (AJA) and obtained the couple’s account of what happened.
According to the couple, the man approached them after noticing the husband was wearing a French football shirt and began chatting with them in English.
The conversation reportedly changed after they criticised Irish attitudes towards Israel.
The couple said the man responded: “We all agree with that. And I’m sorry Hitler didn’t finish the job!”
One of the tourists then began filming him.
In footage circulated on social media, the man can be seen walking through the supermarket before turning towards the camera and saying: “You get the f*** away from me before I put a f***ing bullet in your head, okay?”
Australian Jewish Association president Robert Gregory told The Jerusalem Post that the couple had since made contact with a Jewish security organisation in France.
“Every threat of antisemitic violence must be taken seriously,” he said. “We expect the authorities to investigate this matter urgently and take decisive action against those responsible.”
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