A Historic Number of Antisemitic Acts for the Second Consecutive Year
This year, 1,570 antisemitic acts were recorded, compared to 1,676 the previous year.
The monthly average reached an unprecedented level with 130 antisemitic acts per month, marking a new threshold that persists and is confirmed month after month.
Furthermore, this year stands out as having the highest number of violent acts in the past decade, with 106 antisemitic physical assaults. Some acts were of extreme violence, such as the attack on the synagogue in La Grande Motte, the arson of the synagogue in Rouen, and the antisemitic rape of a 12-year-old girl in Courbevoie.
Four Major Trends Persist Despite an Exceptional Year
Despite the extraordinary nature of 2024, four main trends observed annually in recorded antisemitic acts remain:
· Antisemitism primarily targets individuals (65.2%).
· Antisemitism is particularly violent (over 10% of attacks against individuals involve physical violence).
· Antisemitic acts occur mainly in private spheres (nearly 35%) and in public spaces (22%).
· Antisemitic acts are committed across nearly the entire country (87%, or 88 out of 101 departments).
Anti-Israeli Rhetoric: A Catalyst for Antisemitic Acts and Hostility Toward Jews
Throughout the year, the theme of Palestine has been a powerful catalyst for antisemitic acts. Semantic analysis of statements made by perpetrators shows that, on average, at least 43 antisemitic acts per month referenced Palestine. In 2024, 518 such acts were identified based on detailed reports of perpetrator statements
This year saw a profound degradation of public attitudes toward Jews in France, spanning schools, universities, public spaces, private spheres, and social media. This hostile atmosphere largely stems from the hyper-activism of a few hundred radical anti-Israeli activists engaging in actions such as school and university blockades, boycott campaigns, protests against Jewish-organized events, anti-Israeli graffiti, glorification of Palestinian terrorism, and legitimization of Hamas actions.
A political party and some of its members amplified anti-Israeli rhetoric, accusing Israel of genocide and portraying its supporters as “pro-genocide.” This rhetoric significantly demonized Jews in France and justified hostile or insulting behaviour toward them.
Two Concerning Trends
1. Political Instrumentalization: For the first time, a political party adopted anti-Israeli rhetoric that demonized Israel, its citizens, and supporters, using Palestine as a campaign theme during the European elections of June 9, 2024.
2. Radicalization of Anti-Israeli Organizations:
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They openly express their desire for the disappearance of Israel, calling for the total liberation of Palestine.
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They advocate for a convergence of social struggles by universalizing the fight against Zionism, portraying Zionism as the root cause of the suffering inflicted on populations resisting dominant regimes.
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They unapologetically support Palestinian terrorist organizations, their members, and their actions. Palestinian terrorism is increasingly portrayed as a legitimate form of resistance, with perpetrators of terrorist acts idealized and seen as heroic freedom fighters.
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They call for an uprising in France among struggling populations and seek to promote the idea of a French and global “intifada.”
The intertwined relationship between a political body instrumentalizing the issue of Palestine for electoral purposes, particularly targeting youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and anti-Israeli organizations calling for resistance to Zionism in France, foreshadows a worrisome future for Jews in France.
140% Increase in Antisemitic Acts Between May 27 and June 10
A sharp rise in antisemitic acts was observed during this period, with 72 acts recorded in the week of May 27 and 76 acts in the week of June 3 over a 140% increase from the weekly average of slightly over 30 acts.
Two events coincided during this time: the European election campaign and a media campaign against Israel’s operation in Rafah, led by anti-Israeli organizations. Anti-Israeli activists, particularly members of LFI, organized rallies, including marches in Paris, and made Palestine a central theme in their electoral campaign.
What events or circumstances during this period could have triggered such an increase?
Two major developments intersected, and even overlapped, during this time: the European election campaign and the media campaign against the Israeli operation in Rafah, led by anti-Israeli organizations.
This period was marked by intense activity from anti-Israeli activists. On May 27, members of LFI (La France Insoumise) called for a gathering in front of the Israeli embassy. This demonstration ended with unauthorized marches through the streets of Paris, a pattern that repeated every evening throughout the week.
Finally, in the two weeks leading up to the European elections on June 9, LFI made “Palestine” one of the central themes of its campaign. Party members took the lead in organizing anti-Israeli rallies and participated in all protests held during this period. They also intensified their media actions to show their support for Palestine, such as displaying the Palestinian flag in the National Assembly. Throughout this period, they positioned themselves as the leading voice of anti-Israeli rhetoric in France, repeatedly amplifying the false accusation of genocide on their social media platforms, during television appearances, on campaign posters, and at electoral meetings across the country.
Antisemitism in Schools: An Alarming Reality and a Need for Improved Reporting
In 2024, 192 antisemitic acts in schools were reported to authorities, representing 12.2% of all recorded antisemitic acts.
However, these figures fall short of those published by the Ministries of Education and Higher Education. Many incidents reported by schools do not lead to official complaints.
Education Sector
In October, the Ministry of National Education released data on racist and antisemitic incidents during the 2023-2024 school year. According to the ministry, 1,670 antisemitic acts were recorded out of a total of 3,600 racist and antisemitic acts. In other words, nearly half of the racist incidents reported by schools were directed against Jews, who make up less than 1% of the population. This extremely concerning figure highlights the toxic climate faced by Jewish students within the public school system.
By comparison, during the 2022-2023 school year, 400 antisemitic acts were reported out of a total of 1,270 racist and antisemitic acts, according to the ministry’s data.
Higher Education
In May 2024, the Minister of Higher Education reported during a Senate hearing that 240 antisemitic acts had been reported by higher education institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year.
This year, many universities have become battlegrounds for anti-Israeli activist organizations. These groups have contributed to the creation of “Palestine committees,” composed of only a few students, whose goal is to pressure university administrations to end all cooperation with Israeli institutions or those working with Israel. These committees also aim to spread the language and narratives of anti-Israeli rhetoric among students through graffiti, information booths, leafleting, and event organization. The exploitation of spaces dedicated to study and education by small groups of radical activists has succeeded in creating a hostile and toxic atmosphere for Jewish students.
A Unified Approach Needed
Standardizing procedures for addressing antisemitic incidents across the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Interior is essential to better combat this phenomenon. This approach should also extend to other sectors, such as prisons and detention centers under the Ministry of Justice.
Qu'est ce que le SPCJ ?
Le SPCJ, Service de Protection de la Communauté Juive a été créé en 1980 au lendemain de l’attentat de la rue de Copernic à Paris, d’une volonté commune des institutions juives de France.
Le SPCJ est une organisation apolitique, à but non lucratif. Sa vocation exclusive est la protection de la vie juive dans toute sa pluralité.
PROTECTION &
LUTTE CONTRE L'ANTISÉMITISME
AUDIT DE SÉCURITÉ & CONSEIL
ASSISTANCE JURIDIQUE
FORMATION
ASSISTANCE EN CAS D'URGENCE
