DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

'Demons of antisemitism' still in France: Macron honors Alfred Dreyfus, new statue installed

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • French President Emmanuel Macron honored a new statue of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully convicted of treason, acknowledging that antisemitism persists in France.
  • The ceremony highlighted the resurgence of anti-Jewish bias, with a recent incident involving an assault rifle found near a Paris synagogue and a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since October 2023.
  • Dreyfus' grandson expressed dismay at the current level of antisemitism, while Macron called for vigilance to protect targeted individuals.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday acknowledged the enduring presence of antisemitism in France during a ceremony dedicating a new statue to Captain Alfred Dreyfus. "We know that the old demons of antisemitism have never completely disappeared from our country," Macron stated, urging increased vigilance to protect those targeted for their identity. He stood alongside Charles Dreyfus, the 99-year-old grandson of the Jewish military officer who was wrongly convicted of treason in 1894.

Dreyfus' case remains a historical benchmark for anti-Jewish bias in France. Charles Dreyfus shared his sorrow, noting, "I must sadly admit that I would not have imagined, at my age, seeing antisemitism resurface with such virulence in our country." The newly inaugurated statue, depicting Dreyfus in uniform with a sword, stands outside France's highest court, where he was eventually exonerated.

We know that the old demons of antisemitism have never completely disappeared from our country.

— Emmanuel MacronFrench President Emmanuel Macron's statement during the ceremony honoring Alfred Dreyfus, acknowledging the persistence of antisemitism.

The ceremony occurred just one day after a military-grade assault rifle was discovered in a vehicle near a synagogue in Sarcelles, leading to the evacuation of over 300 people. France, home to Europe's largest Jewish population, has experienced a notable surge in antisemitic incidents, particularly following the October 7 events. In 2024, over 65% of religiously motivated attacks targeted Jewish people, with an average of 130 incidents per month. A French Jewish protection organization reported a nearly 300% increase in attacks since 2022.

Macron's own political actions, including officially recognizing Palestine in 2025, drew criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, which deemed it a "huge prize for terrorism." Despite this tension, Macron later declared July 12 as a national day of memorial for Dreyfus, marking 120 years since his exoneration.

I must sadly admit that I would not have imagined, at my age, seeing antisemitism resurface with such virulence in our country.

— Charles DreyfusAlfred Dreyfus' grandson expressing dismay at the current level of antisemitism in France during the statue inauguration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog