The figures speak for themselves. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced, Monday May 6, that “366 anti-Semitic acts” had been recorded in France in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 300% compared to the first three months of 2023.
“No one can deny this anti-Semitic surge. No one can deny the fact that it is estimated that French Jews represent 1% of the French population, but that more than 60% of anti-religious acts are anti-Semitic acts,” declared the leader of the government in a speech at the 38th dinner of the Crif (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France) in Paris.
Faced with this increase, “not an act must go unpunished, not an anti-Semite must have peace of mind”, affirmed the Prime Minister, promising to “show exemplary firmness in each act”.
He calls for a census
Deploring that it is not possible to know precisely the number and convictions for acts committed because of religion, he announced that he had asked the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, “to find the means to implement is carrying out a census of these cases and convictions throughout France.
“Islamism is a serious danger for our Republic and one of the most dangerous, most destructive faces of anti-Semitism,” he also affirmed, promising to “tackle Islamism and separatism head-on.” “
The head of government also attacked rebellious France and its leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, whom he accused of “stirring up hatred, committing the most outrageous innuendoes”.
“I have often felt ashamed lately […]. Shame when listening to certain elected officials from rebellious France talk about a resistance movement” regarding Hamas, he said.
But he also criticized the National Rally, saying: “Let us not be fooled by the absolute cynicism of those who say they support the Jewish French out of an anti-Muslim reflex.”
A few days after pro-Palestinian mobilizations in the student world, mainly at Sciences Po in Paris, Gabriel Attal finally assured that “there will never be a right to blockade” because “we will never accept that a manipulated minority claims make the law”.