Anti-Semitic violence is rising in France

Subject

Anti-Semitism in France.

Significance

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner stated earlier this year that "anti-Semitism is spreading like poison", in the wake of violent acts and hardening xenophobic rhetoric. Upward trends in anti-Semitic violence are heightening pressure on the government to impose educational and punitive measures. At the same time, political actors are using the rise of anti-Semitic violence to discredit opponents.

Impacts

• Action against anti-Semitism will need careful management to avoid resentment among other groups suffering from exclusion.
• The Israel-Palestine conflict will feed anti-Zionist narratives within anti-globalisation groups and Muslim communities.
• The inability to solve regional inequality in France will increase the level and diversity of extremism.