As Palestinian state recognitions begin, Macron says France will crack down on antisemitism

Ahead of an official recognition of a Palestinian state by the country of France on Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron asserted on Saturday, that he would ensure Jews in his country are protected from antisemitic attacks. 

In a post to 𝕏, Macron wrote, “I know the anxiety of French Jews.” 

“Anguish, loneliness, fear: even this week, they told me how much their lives have changed since October 7. They also told me their demand for justice and protection,” he continued. 

Macron further said that he had given a command “to instruct the prosecutors to further improve the justice system's response to antisemitism and its new forms.” 

“Two watchwords: absolute vigilance and immediate response, to detect and punish very firmly the perpetrators of antisemitic acts,” he claimed. “In the face of hatred, the Republic will always have the last word. The Nation will always be mobilized.” 

Many French Jews are not impressed with Macron’s words, as there have been several crimes against Jews in recent years in which the perpetrators have received very light sentences, or even had the charges dismissed, despite clear evidence of antisemitic motivation. 

France has seen an increase in antisemitic incidents over the past few years, causing many Jewish residents to refrain from wearing any overt signs of their Jewish life and practice in public. 

On Friday, the day before Macron’s post, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner posted a statement to 𝕏, asking how France could go ahead with the recognition of a Palestinian state, when the conditions it set for doing so have not been met.

These were France’s own conditions for recognition of a Palestinian state. How can France move forward with next week’s vote when none of these have been met? pic.twitter.com/uzCwYr4CaU

— Ambassador Charles Kushner (@USAmbFrance) September 19, 2025

Kushner’s post came along with an open letter to the Wall Street Journal, accusing the French government of not taking sufficient action to tackle rising antisemitism in the country. 

Macron’s statement came after outgoing Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin called on public prosecutors to take a harsher stance against antisemitic incidents on Friday. 

In a document, which was seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), asked prosecutors for a "very firm criminal response" to anti-Semitic acts and speeches. He also asked for the "general aggravating circumstance" to be retained, which would make it possible to increase the maximum prison sentence incurred for such incidents. 

According to Le Monde, antisemitic incidents in France have increased since Oct. 7, 2023, and the outbreak of the Gaza war. The French media outlet said that in the first six months of 2025, 646 anti-Semitic acts were recorded in the country, which represents a decrease of 27.5% compared to the first half of 2024, but a jump of 112.5% over the same period in 2023. 

Jewish groups in Britain, France, Canada, and Australia have decried the commitments by their governments to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that this is seen as a reward by terror groups such as Hamas. 

In a joint statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, and the Executive Council of Australian Jews said that recognition of a Palestinian state will hinder “genuine peace.” 

Recognition “will therefore set back rather than advance prospects for a genuine peace based on the internationally-endorsed principle of two states for two peoples,” the groups said. 

The western countries are expected to announce their recognition of a Palestinian state on Monday, Sept. 22, at the UN General Assembly. That date marks the eve of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.