French authorities have launched an investigation into a reported incident of antisemitism that occurred at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on June 25, according to the Bobigny public prosecutor’s office. The incident, which involved a man allegedly harassing a young boy wearing a kippah, has sparked condemnation from Jewish groups.
Alleged Harassment at Charles de Gaulle Airport
Footage of the incident, posted on X by the account SwordOfSalomon, has been viewed over 440,000 times. The video shows a man approaching a boy playing a video game and taking the toy.
The man is heard saying to the boy, “Are you gonna free Palestine, bro?” and, “If you don’t free them, I’ll snatch your hat off, bro,” referencing the child’s kippah. He also repeatedly told the child, in broken French, “dance, cachou” – seemingly mispronouncing the French word for “pig.” The boy appeared confused and attempted to comply.
The account that posted the video claims the man targeted two Jewish French children, one of whom was 7 years old.
Rise in Antisemitism
Jewish groups have reported a sharp increase in antisemitic assaults in France following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict.
Yonathan Arfi, president of CRIF, which represents Jewish institutions in France, stated the incident is “yet another illustration of the climate of anti-Semitism that has prevailed in Europe” since the 2023 attacks. He also noted being struck by “the unbridled, uninhibited nature of the anti-Semitism.”
Airport Response
Groupe ADP, the company that manages Paris airports, said it is “working closely with the state services and all stakeholders in the airport community, including the Chief Rabbi, who is one of the airport chaplains.”
“No compromise from Groupe ADP on anti-Semitism,” the company added.
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