Marc Knobel

Marc Knobel

Marc Knobel is a historian, associate researcher at the Jonathas Institute in Brussels, former member of the scientific council of the Interministerial Delegation to Combat Racism, Antisemitism, and Anti-LGBT Hate (Dilcrah). He is notably the author of “Cyberhate: Propaganda and Antisemitism on the Internet”

On January 22, 2025, the Service for the Protection of the Jewish Community in France (SPCJ) published its annual report on antisemitism for 2024, preceding the Ministry of the Interior. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), relying on this data, quickly relayed the information by publishing a summary on its website.
 
In 2024, 1,570 antisemitic acts were recorded, compared to 1,676 the previous year. This represents a 6.3% decrease compared to the previous year. However, the monthly average reached an unprecedented level with 130 acts, marking a new plateau that has been maintained and confirmed month after month.
 
It should be noted that the methodology used is based on the numerical syntheses of the Central Territorial Intelligence Service, which depends on the Ministry of the Interior. These data, which count “actions (violent)” and “threats,” are cross-referenced with reports from the Ministry and the SPCJ. However, only acts reported through complaints or police reports are counted. This methodology may underestimate the true extent of antisemitism, as some victims refrain from filing complaints out of fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, precise information regarding the number of people referred to courts, the number of convictions pronounced, the penalties applied, and the number of cases dismissed for antisemitic acts is not available in the search results.
 

Analysis of the Figures 

The annual report provides valuable insights into the scope and persistence of antisemitic acts in France.

From October 2000 to the end of 2022, France recorded 13,091 antisemitic acts. Adding the figures for 2023 (1,676) and 2024 (1,570), the total rises to 16,337 acts, a considerable quantity over this 24-year period. This alarming figure demonstrates that antisemitism in France is not a recent phenomenon but a deeply rooted reality in French society for over two decades.

A recurring correlation emerges between peaks in antisemitic acts in France and periods of tension in the Middle East, particularly visible in the years 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2023, and 2024.

The past year was marked by a significant deterioration in the climate towards the Jewish community in the French public sphere. This degradation manifested in various domains. Statistics indicate that antisemitism primarily targets individuals (65.2%), with an alarming rate of physical violence exceeding 10% of the attacks. The majority of acts occur in the private sphere (nearly 35%) and on public roads (22%), affecting almost the entire French territory (88 departments out of 101, or 87%).

Paris concentrates the most incidents (379), followed by the following departments in the Paris region: Hauts-de-Seine (131), Val-de-Marne (110), Seine-Saint-Denis (92), and Bouches-du-Rhône (78) or Alpes-Maritimes (56) in the south of France.

In these departments, antisemitic acts occur mainly in the private sphere and community centers. The school environment is not spared, with 192 acts resulting in complaints in 2024, accounting for 12.2% of the total antisemitic acts recorded that year. At a time when teachers fear addressing the Holocaust or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in history classes, the question arises about how these sensitive topics are taught today. Are students effectively sanctioned when inappropriate remarks or behaviors are observed?

Deciphering Antisemitic Trends

These figures reveal that current antisemitism has several characteristics that develop jointly and succeed each other. There is a persistence of antisemitic stereotypes and prejudices, as well as the use of social networks as vectors for multiple accusations. However, what stands out in 2025 is the prevalence of antisemitism linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In this context, it is essential to highlight the deliberate strategy of La France Insoumise (a radical left party), which makes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a central pillar of its campaign and policy. This approach appears designed to mobilize its militant base, unite its sympathizers, and appeal to certain segments of the French Muslim electorate.

Furthermore, Israel is at the center of a conspiratorial imagination. This demonological anti-Zionism takes various aggressive forms: delegitimization of Israel, sometimes violent pro-Palestinian demonstrations, antisemitic inscriptions and messages on social networks, assaults, or specific accusations. Moreover, in some suburbs, the disjointed discourse of young people quickly shifts from anti-Zionism to antisemitism, from Israel to Jews.

Indeed, antisemitism also spreads among Muslims living in France or French Muslims, as demonstrated by a study by the French Institute of Public Opinion published in October 2024 for the American Jewish Committee and the Foundation for Political Innovation (Fondapol). It reveals that it is predominantly French Muslims who adhere to the following statements:

  • “Israel treats Palestinians like the Nazis treated Jews” (65%)
  • “Jews are richer than the average French person” (53%)
  • “Jews have too much power in the media” (53%)
  • “The Holocaust prevents other historical tragedies” (61%)

Implementing Long-Term Measures

The persistence of antisemitism in France requires constant vigilance and the implementation of long-term measures. A multidimensional approach to combat antisemitism is necessary. First, in the face of the risks of importing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is crucial to protect the French Jewish community. But it is also necessary to adopt exemplary vigilance and severity towards the perpetrators of antisemitic acts. I emphasize the need to strengthen education and training mechanisms against cyberhate, particularly for young people and vulnerable audiences. Indeed, on networks, it is necessary to require platforms to quickly handle reports of hateful content. Finally, it is essential that politicians are aware of the impact of their words on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; irresponsible and violent speeches by the radical left can exacerbate tensions and fuel antisemitism in our country.