France reports rash of antisemitic incidents

Demonstrators wave an Israeli national flag during a rally in support of Israel in Marseille, southern France on October 9, 2023. (CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP)
Demonstrators wave an Israeli national flag during a rally in support of Israel in Marseille, southern France on October 9, 2023. (CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP)

French police have arrested 10 people in connection with antisemitic acts that were reported since the latest fighting between Israel and Hamas militants began.

The 20 reported incidents included threats to synagogues or people frequenting Jewish stores, the interior minister said Monday.

Prosecutors have also opened 44 investigations into antisemitic hate speech online or posts glorifying terrorism in connection with the violence, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin’s office.

While France sees sporadic acts targeting Jews or Muslims, Darmanin said the number of antisemitic incidents since Saturday was ″dramatic.″

France has the world’s largest Jewish population after Israel and the US.

The Eiffel Tower is currently lit up in blue and white in solidarity with Israel, one of a number of displays in European capitals, which have been accompanied by intense pro- and anti-Israel demonstrations.

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