In a striking throwback to the nation’s anti-Jewish history during World War II, two adolescent French lads were accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Jewish girl, whom they allegedly called a “dirty jew.” France was deeply outraged by the occurrence, and Jewish organizations protested in the streets against the rise in antisemitism.
In light of the police’s declaration that the event qualified as a hate crime, President Emmanuel subsequently stated that the “scourge of antisemitism” poses a threat to French schools. As he continues to campaign for the early elections called in reaction to his party’s crushing defeat in the European Parliament elections, the French president has given his minister of education, Nicole Belloubet, the responsibility of making sure that antisemitism is taught in schools.
“The terror knows no bounds. Belloubet posted on X, the former Twitter platform, “Everything about this crime committed in Courbevoie against a 12-year-old girl is abominable: rape, antisemitism.” She continued, “Justice, School, Republic: a single response against barbarism.”
On June 18, two 13-year-old boys were charged with several offenses, including sexual assault.
Twelve-year-old third boy faced charges for his claimed involvement in the incident he witnessed.
The police report was deemed “unbearable” by the French daily Le Monde due of its detailed content.
French Jews have seen multiple incidents of antisemitism in recent years.
Jewish organizations have noted an increase in antisemitic incidents after the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 and the ensuing conflict in Gaza.
France’s head rabbi, Haim Korsia, wrote on X that he was “horrified” by the reported rape. Korsia remarked, “Justice must firmly sanction the perpetrators of this despicable act.”
