French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "poison of antisemitism" following a shocking attack on the chief rabbi of the central city of Orléans, Rabbi Arié Engelberg. The attack, which occurred on Saturday evening, March 22, 2025, has raised alarm among Jewish communities in France as antisemitism continues to rise.
Rabbi Engelberg was assaulted while walking with his 9-year-old son in the city center. Local media reported that the suspect hurled antisemitic insults at the rabbi before physically attacking him. Eyewitnesses affirmed that the assault was violent, with the rabbi being kicked, punched, and even bitten on the shoulder by the assailant, who was identified as a 16-year-old boy.
The attack took place around 1:30 p.m. Reportedly, a passerby intervened to help the rabbi, which prompted the attacker to flee the scene. Rabbi Engelberg eventually reported the incident to the Orléans police. Hours later, at 9:45 p.m., the attacker was arrested after being identified via security camera footage.
On Sunday, March 23, President Macron expressed his outrage, stating, “The attack on Rabbi Arié Engelberg in Orléans shocks us all. I offer him, his son, and all our fellow citizens of the Jewish faith my full support and that of the nation… We will not give in to silence or inaction.” This statement was made publicly via a post on social media platform X, emphasizing the government's commitment to combatting antisemitism.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin also condemned the attack, asserting his solidarity with Rabbi Engelberg. He emphasized that “France cannot allow itself to become a stage for foreign tensions that fuel violence and antisemitism.” This strong reaction reflects the government’s dialogue with Jewish communities about rising instances of persecution and intolerance.
The incident has ignited discussions about the rising antisemitism in France. According to figures released by the French Interior Ministry, there were 1,570 antisemitic acts recorded in 2024, making up 62% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the country. Despite a modest 6% decrease from the previous year, the persistence of these incidents remains a crucial concern for the Jewish community, with physical assault rates increasing by 3% year over year.
Rabbi Engelberg was not seriously injured but was left shaken by the experience, as local authorities emphasized the severity of the attack. Orléans' mayor, Serge Grouard, echoed this sentiment by labeling the assault a “heinous and intolerable act,” stating it posed a serious threat to the foundational values of the French Republic.
Yonathan Arfi, president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF), responded critically to the continual development of antisemitism in the country. He declared, “No, anti-Semitism is not ‘residual.’ Those who minimize, relativize, or justify hatred of Jews by a conflict 4,000 km away bear an immense responsibility.” This remark highlights how external conflicts have been used to justify or trivialize local antisemitic sentiments.
The anger from the Jewish community is palpable, especially following reports revealing that nearly one in five French citizens below the age of 35, as well as 12% of the general public, expressed they "would be happy if Jews left France." Such sentiments underscore a deep-seated issue that extends beyond the immediate violence of events like Saturday’s attack.
Yann, a local resident who witnessed the assault, described the harrowing scene, recounting that he saw the attacker deliver “three or four violent blows” to the rabbi. Witness accounts like Yann’s serve to contextualize the brutal nature of the attack and reflect broader societal issues regarding religion and intolerance in France.
As France continues to grapple with these deeply troubling trends, community leaders and policymakers are calling for collective action against antisemitism. The events surrounding Rabbi Engelberg’s assault signify not just an individual act of violence but a much larger, systemic issue that threatens the coexistence among diverse cultural and religious identities in France.
The ongoing discourse around antisemitism highlights the urgent need for both local and national responses to combat hate. The alarming statistics of antisemitic incidents in France paint a stark picture of a nation facing new challenges in upholding its commitment to religious freedom and human rights for all its citizens.
