Brutal Anti-Semitic Attack on 67-Year-Old Man in Essonne

In a disturbing incident reported on September 29, 2025, Gilles Cohen, a 67-year-old Jewish man, was violently assaulted in Yerres, Essonne. Cohen detailed the harrowing experience, stating he was attacked from behind by an assailant who threatened him with death while shouting anti-Semitic slurs, including “Dirty Jew, I will kill you.” Cohen, who had been wearing a kippa at the time, experienced a relentless five-minute assault that left him with significant facial injuries and a medical declaration of a 15-day incapacity to work.

The Evry prosecutor's office has confirmed that a complaint has been lodged, but no suspects have yet been apprehended in connection with this brutal attack. The assault was not an isolated incident; it echoes a prior anti-Semitic attack on a rabbi in Orléans who faced violence while returning from synagogue with his son. This pattern of violence highlights a troubling trend of anti-Semitism in France, raising alarms among community leaders and authorities alike.

Cohen's account brings to light the rising tensions and the sense of vulnerability experienced by Jewish individuals in France. He expressed his deep concern, lamenting that such hate-fueled violence is becoming all too common, stating simply, “This kind of attack should not happen to anyone.”

As the investigation progresses, it underscores the urgent need for enhanced protections for vulnerable communities and a renewed commitment from local law enforcement to address hate crimes effectively. Cohen’s experience and the ongoing threats against Jewish communities demand a vigilant response from authorities and society at large.