France Boosts Security at Jewish Sites Amid Rising Antisemitism Following Washington Embassy Shooting

Ailin Vilches Arguello

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Tens of thousands of French people march in Paris to protest against antisemitism. Photo: Screenshot

France has increased security at Jewish sites nationwide following the antisemitic shooting in Washington, DC, this week as the country’s local Jewish community calls for stronger government action amid mounting fears of escalating violence.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ordered local law enforcement to “step up surveillance at sites linked to the Jewish community” after a gunman fatally shot two Israeli embassy staffers in the US capital on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old suspect who was charged with murdering the victims shouted “Free Palestine” as he was being taken into custody and said at the scene of the shooting, “I did it for Gaza,” according to court documents.

Shortly after the attack, prominent Jewish groups and leaders worldwide quickly decried the act of violence, expressing deep concern over the global rise in antisemitism. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the deadly assault as “an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity.”

On Thursday, Retailleau called for increased patrols around synagogues, as well as Jewish schools, shops, and events, with additional support from soldiers assigned to France’s domestic anti-terror unit. He also emphasized that security measures must be “visible and dissuasive.”

Local law enforcement has been stationed to secure the Israeli embassy in Paris, with increased patrols maintaining a strong presence around the area.

Ahead of the upcoming Jewish holidays, the French diplomat also called for “extreme vigilance” and urged local officials to closely monitor identity checks, bag inspections, and vehicle searches.

The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) — the main representative body of French Jews — welcomed the latest security measures and government response following the deadly shooting.

Since the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, France has seen an alarming surge in antisemitic incidents, with 1,570 recorded last year, according to a report by CRIF.

In late May and early June, antisemitic acts rose by more than 140 percent, far surpassing the weekly average of slightly more than 30 incidents.

The report also found that 65.2 percent of antisemitic acts last year targeted individuals, with more than 10 percent of these offenses involving physical violence.

Following the antisemitic attack in Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused European governments of spreading “toxic antisemitic incitement,” which he said contributed to the hostile climate that led to the fatal shooting.

“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder,” the top Israeli diplomat said at a press conference, referring to the two Israeli embassy staffers killed on Wednesday night.

“This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe,” Saar continued.

French authorities rejected such an accusation, calling it “outrageous and unjustified.”

“France has condemned, France condemns, and France will continue to condemn, always and unequivocally, any act of antisemitism,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said in a statement.

European governments have strongly criticized Israel’s defensive campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, as well as its management of humanitarian aid to the enclave.

On Monday, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada issued a joint statement calling for a ceasefire and supporting the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state. The statement also accused Israel of causing starvation in Gaza — a claim that Israeli leaders have vehemently denied.

The three countries warned that “concrete measures” would be taken if the Israeli government does not end its renewed military offensive and significantly ease restrictions on humanitarian aid.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the leaders of France, the UK, and Canada, accusing them of rewarding terrorism with their threats and condemning their stance as being on “the wrong side of history.”

“By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed, and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on Oct. 7, while inviting more such atrocities,” the Israeli leader said in a statement, referring to the Hamas onslaught on Israel that started the current war.

“The war can end tomorrow if the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its murderous leaders are exiled, and Gaza is demilitarized. No nation can be expected to accept anything less, and Israel certainly won’t,” the statement continued. “This is a war of civilization over barbarism. Israel will continue to defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved.”

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