Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebration of the Council of Jewish Institutions of France (Crif), President Emmanuel Macron
reaffirmed France's commitment to combatting anti-Semitism.
"We will address any resurgence of anti-Semitism with the same resolute approach as my predecessors," Macron declared during the event held at the Palais Elysée.
Yonathan Arfi, the president of Crif, highlighted the alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents since October 7, underscoring a threat to France's republican principles.
According to Crif's report, anti-Semitic attacks surged to 1,676 in 2023, up from 436 in 2022.
Arfi urged France to extend support to Israeli democracy, akin to its stance on Ukraine amid Russian aggression.
In response, Macron emphasized the importance of distinguishing between supporting Israel's security and agreeing with its government's decisions, advocating for adherence to international law, particularly in Gaza.
Addressing the issue of anti-Semitic acts within France, Macron echoed Crif's call for a parliamentary inquiry into anti-Semitism in higher education.
The recent incident at Sciences-Po university, where a Jewish student was barred from attending amid pro-Palestinian protests, elicited strong condemnation from Macron and prompted an internal investigation by the institution. Photo by Olevy, Wikimedia commons.