The Chief Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Paris – Today it is clear that Jews have no future in France
“It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France,” declared the Chief Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Paris, Moshe Sebbag, to the Jerusalem Post, assessing the results of the elections to the National Assembly and the rampant antisemitism in the country. — “I advise every young person to leave for Israel or a safer country.”
Following the second round of elections, the far-left coalition “New People’s Front” (NPF), which includes the ultra-left organization “Unsubmissive France” (LFI), won the most seats (182) in the National Assembly. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party won 168 seats, while the right-wing “National Rally” received 143.
The leader of the ultra-left “Unsubmissive France,” Jean-Luc Mélenchon, supports HAMAS and is known for his anti-Israel and antisemitic statements.
France is home to the largest Jewish diaspora in Europe, numbering about 500,000 people. Additionally, France has the largest Muslim community in Europe, numbering 6-7 million people, which represents about 10% of the country’s population. The most blatant and dangerous antisemitism in France comes from the ultra-left, who notably did not participate in the March against Antisemitism in Paris, held in November 2023, a month after HAMAS’s terrorist attack on Israel.
The results of a survey conducted among French Jews showed:
- 86% of French Jews fear becoming the victim of an antisemitic attack, 56% of them consider this fear significant.
- About half (44%) of respondents reported that since October 7, they avoid wearing items that identify their Jewish affiliation, such as a kippah or Star of David.
- One in five respondents reported that they removed the mezuzah from their door to avoid attacks.
Nationally:
- 76% of French people believe that antisemitism exists in the country.
- 34% hold antisemitic views, meaning one in three French people is an antisemite.
