Rising Concerns of Antisemitism Highlighted at CRIF Dinner
At the CRIF dinner, concerns over antisemitism in France were voiced amid rising fears in the Jewish community.
Key Points
- • CRIF's annual dinner highlighted rising antisemitism concerns in France.
- • Yonathan Arfi reported a 24% decline in antisemitic acts in early 2025, but incidents have doubled since 2013.
- • The community feels unsafe, especially regarding the safety of Jewish children in public spaces.
- • Arfi emphasized the need for solidarity against antisemitism amid influencing factors like populism and Islamism.
On July 3, 2025, the 39th annual dinner of the Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France (CRIF) was held at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, bringing together prominent figures from the Jewish community, political leaders including Prime Minister François Bayrou, and representatives from various faiths to discuss rising concerns regarding antisemitism in France.
Yonathan Arfi, the president of CRIF, voiced the community's increasing fears, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, emphasizing that, despite a reported 24% decrease in antisemitic acts in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the number of incidents has still more than doubled since 2013. Arfi articulated that the community feels a persistent sense of 'inquiétude' (concern) and 'peur' (fear), as factors such as rising populism and Islamism contribute to their anxiety. He raised pressing questions about the safety of Jewish children in public spaces, suggesting that families might need to warn young ones to lower their voices when discussing Jews or Israel. This statement underscored the profound level of anxiety gripping the community amid increasing antisemitic sentiments and acts.
Arfi's remarks reflect a growing sentiment within the Jewish community that calls not only for vigilance but also for solidarity against hate. "The rising fury of crowds, spurred by political movements such as La France insoumise (LFI), adds layers to the challenges we face, making it imperative for us to unite in combating antisemitism," he stated, calling for collective action. The concerns voiced at the dinner mirror a broader context of societal tensions in France, highlighting the critical need for dialogue and efforts to ensure safety and respect for Jewish communities in the country.
The stark acknowledgment of these issues at the annual CRIF dinner has brought awareness to the complex landscape of antisemitism in France, as community leaders continue to advocate for a united front in addressing the challenge.