Anti-Semitic Swastikas and Hate Slogans Deface Statue of the Republic in Paris

On February 16, 2026, the Statue of the Republic in central Paris was found vandalized with two swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans. Among these disturbing inscriptions was a call to "Kill the Rothschilds," painted in green letters, alongside graffiti honoring Ilan Halimi, the young Jewish man kidnapped and murdered in 2006. The municipal police documented the vandalism and a cleaning operation was immediately announced by Paris authorities. Additionally, threats targeted public figures including Jack Lang, former Minister of Culture, with one tag demanding the death penalty for him due to alleged links to the Epstein case.

This act of hate occurred amid tense political and social dynamics, following nationalist protests and rallies, including a recent event commemorating Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old nationalist activist who died after a violent altercation. At one such gathering, some participants were filmed giving Nazi salutes, heightening concerns about far-right extremism. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez suggested possible involvement of the antifascist group La Jeune Garde in related disturbances, although investigations continue.

These incidents reflect a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic acts in France, despite a 16% decline in 2025, when 1,320 incidents were registered—the majority of anti-religious acts reported by the Interior Ministry. This surge has been linked to the ongoing conflict in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. The Statue of the Republic has become a focal point for political tensions and militant graffiti, making it a symbolic battleground in France's struggle against hate crimes and extremism.

Officials have pledged to remove the hateful graffiti and file complaints, emphasizing the seriousness of these anti-Semitic acts as a threat to social cohesion and public safety.