More than 100,000 people march in Paris against soaring antisemitism amid Israel-Hamas war

Over 100,000 individuals gathered in Paris on Sunday, demonstrating against the escalating antisemitism linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Elisabeth Borne, the Prime Minister, along with members from various political spectrums, including leftists, conservatives, centrists from President Emmanuel Macron’s party, and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen, were present at the march. While Macron expressed support for the protest and condemned the resurgence of antisemitism, he did not attend in person. Jean-Luc Melenchon of the France Unbowed party opted out, criticizing the march on social media as a rally for supporters of Gaza’s bombardment.

In response to the surge in anti-Jewish hate crimes in France, coinciding with Israel’s conflict with Hamas that escalated after the latter’s unexpected attack on Israel on October 7, Paris deployed 3,000 police officers to oversee the march, initiated by the Senate and National Assembly leaders.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has seen intense battles near Gaza’s main hospital, trapping civilians. Meanwhile, a summit in Dubai, sponsored by an Israeli company, avoided discussing the ongoing conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted calls for a ceasefire.

France, home to Europe’s largest Jewish community, feels the sting of antisemitism deeply due to its historical collaboration with the Nazis during World War II. Robert Fiel, carrying a French flag, emphasized the importance of the march as a stance against violence and antisemitism, representing the “silent majority.”

Participants included relatives of the 40 French citizens killed or affected by the initial Hamas attack. The march, with a turnout of 105,000, was significant for Patrick Klugman, a lawyer part of the “Freethem” committee advocating for the release of those held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.

Yonathan Arfi of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF) recognized the support but questioned future actions against antisemitism. Actor Tomer Sisley highlighted the unity among French citizens against violence and hatred towards any religious or ethnic group.

In the past month, over 1,000 incidents targeting Jews were recorded in France. President Macron, in a letter, assured of legal actions against the perpetrators, affirming that a France fearful for its Jewish citizens is not true to its identity. He emphasized unity and peace in the Middle East, stating his spiritual presence at the march while focusing on national unity.

Marine Le Pen’s participation drew criticism due to her National Rally party’s past antisemitic associations, despite its growing political acceptance. She urged politicians to set aside political disputes during the march.

Since October 7, antisemitic acts in France have nearly tripled compared to the entire previous year, as per the Interior Ministry. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been largely restricted in France, though authorized marches have taken place, including a recent one in Paris advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.

[Report by Surk from Nice, France, and additional reporting by video journalist Nicholas Garriga in Paris.]

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More about Paris anti-antisemitism march

• Paris anti-antisemitism protest
• Israel-Hamas conflict and its impact on antisemitism in France
• French political response to rising antisemitism
• Jean-Luc Melenchon’s stance on Paris march
• Security measures during the Paris march
• Impact of Israel-Hamas conflict on French Jewish community
• Patrick Klugman’s views on the march
• Tomer Sisley’s remarks at the Paris protest
• Emmanuel Macron’s response to antisemitic acts
• Marine Le Pen’s participation in the protest