Macron Urges Stronger Measures Against Antisemitism in France

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for strengthened efforts to combat antisemitism, emphasizing the need for stricter penalties against racist and antisemitic acts amid persistently high levels of hostility toward Jewish communities in France.

Macron made the remarks at a ceremony marking 20 years since the death of Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man who was abducted and murdered in 2006. The French leader stressed that schools, the justice system, and elected officials must all play active roles in tackling discrimination and violence.

Government data released by the Interior Ministry indicates that France recorded 1,320 antisemitic acts in 2025, representing 53 percent of all religiously motivated incidents. While this figure reflects a 16 percent decline from the previous year, authorities noted that the levels remain historically high for the third consecutive year. Analysts link the increase in antisemitic sentiment to the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the ensuing conflict in Gaza.

Macron condemned online hate, describing it as a “poison” that requires accountability from major digital platforms. He reiterated that in France, free speech does not extend to antisemitic or racist behavior.

The issue of antisemitism is not limited to France. Across Europe, hostility toward Jewish communities continues to rise. In the United Kingdom, 3,700 antisemitic incidents were recorded in 2025, marking a slight increase from the previous year, while Germany reported nearly 8,627 cases, including violence, vandalism, and threats linked to the Gaza conflict.

Macron emphasized that combating antisemitism is a shared societal responsibility, calling for coordinated action to safeguard Jewish citizens and uphold the values of equality and tolerance.