France President Macron to address nation as antisemitic acts rise after Hamas attack

On Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron will meet with party leaders and deliver a TV speech to the nation to appeal for unity and try to stop the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from spilling over into France, where there has been an increase in antisemitic incidents. The greatest Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe live in France, and historically, tensions between them have been exacerbated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, anti-Semitic incidents have increased in France since Hamas assaulted Israeli cities on Saturday, killing more than 1,300 people. In response, Israel launched the most intense bombing campaign against Hamas-run Gaza in the conflict’s 75-year history, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the destruction of entire neighbourhoods. According to Darmanin, internet threats and online hatred have both increased in France. “Since Saturday and the terrorist massacres in Israel, there has been over a hundred antisemitic acts, mainly tags and swastikas,” Darmanin told France Inter radio, “but also insults … and people arrested with a knife at the entrance of a school or synagogue … and a drone flying over a Jewish place of worship.” 24 persons have been taken into custody. To guard some 500 sites, the government has allocated 10,000 police officers. Darmanin claimed that while intelligence agencies did not perceive any specific terrorist threats against the French Jewish community, threats may come from either individuals or organised organisations. Darmanin stated that protests would be approved - or not - on a case-by-case basis. Two pro-Palestinian protests slated for Thursday were prohibited but are anticipated to take place. “The Palestinian cause is an absolutely respectable one, France has always considered that we need two states, an Israeli one and a Palestinian one … but if it is a demonstration of support for Hamas … it’s no,” he said. Over a dozen French nationals are still missing, and eleven have been proven killed in Israel. Esther, the grandmother of missing 12-year-old Eitan, pleaded on Macron to intervene. “I am begging you as a grandmother,” she said on BFM TV. “He is a French citizen, I’m sure you want to help me ensure he comes back.” Since the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948, more Jews have emigrated to Israel from France than at any other period. Many attribute this migration to rising antisemitism. (With agency inputs)