...Like a Jew in France

Since October 7, 2023, the situation of the Jews of France has taken on new media visibility due to antisemitic acts that—just as in other countries—came as a shock because of their sudden surge at a time when many were expecting compassion. A legitimate question now arises: what is the future of Jews in France?

“Happy as a Jew in France”

Amid very real concern, many Jews still want to believe in the old Ashkenazi saying born in the heart of an Eastern Europe fascinated by the land of liberty: “Happy as a Jew in France!”… despite the “Dreyfus Affair” (1894–1906), during which modern France was already taking shape, divided between unconditional defenders and Judeophobic conspiracy theorists.

“A country in which people tear each other apart over the fate of a little Jewish captain is a country one must hurry to reach!” (Emmanuel Levinas, philosopher, leaving his native Lithuania for France)

A welcoming country! Indeed, if France was the first to emancipate its Jews in the 19th century, granting them access to the highest offices, it once again became a generous land of refuge, particularly before and after World War II: more than 150,000 from Eastern Europe, then 235,000 from the Maghreb.

A singularity, and a double belonging. Grateful Jews: in every synagogue in France, a prayer is recited each Sabbath morning to bless the Republic. The Hebrew text speaks of aménou, am Tsarfat (our people, the people of France); the Jews are referred to as am Yisrael (the people of Israel).

Toward a shift

In March 2025, the Festival of Jewish Life celebrated its 20th anniversary in the Paris region, with the main theme: “… Like a Jew in France?” A title, written as such, that spoke volumes about the questions and doubts now arising within the communities.

On November 6, 2025: the concert of Israeli conductor Lahav Shani was interrupted several times by pro-Palestinian activists at the Philharmonie de Paris.

An “ambient antisemitism.” In fact, antisemitic and anti-Israeli words and actions show no sign of abating, supported by academics and political leaders hungry for power. In WhatsApp or Instagram groups, students at major universities no longer hesitate to ask, “For or against the Jews?” And the number of Jewish artists singled out, pressured to take a stand against Israel, or “simply” boycotted, keeps growing. While the government sometimes expresses indignation, no sanctions are ever taken…

Hence the troubling question, as elections approach (municipal in 2026, presidential in 2027): will the new paradigms of the political left and far-left, relying on the very large Muslim immigration (20% of the French population is of Muslim origin, compared to 0.7% Jews), succeed where the Vichy government failed: eradicating the Jews of France?

“The end of the Jews of France”?

This warning had already been sounded in a report by the Jewish People Policy Institute in Jerusalem, with an admonition addressed to all Jewish families: “Your grandchildren will not live in France.” And this acute concern: while in French metropolitan areas Jews are concentrated and organized, the 150,000 who live in outlying regions face very large Muslim communities. In the event of riots, as in July 2023, they are in great danger (notably, only Jewish businesses were vandalized or set on fire).

“Jews have no future in Europe.” Eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the very idea of a massive exodus of Jews from Europe should be unthinkable, and yet: one hundred rabbis gathered under the aegis of the European Rabbinical Center sent an explosive letter to the highest leaders of the European Union. Their chilling conclusion: “The Jews of Europe live in constant fear, and their future on the continent is now in question.”

Today, and tomorrow. Will France be able to resist all political-Islamist manipulations by drawing on its remarkable resilience against oppressors of every kind? Is there still time to stop the antisemitic madness that has seized part of France, this country once known as a friend of the Jews, celebrated until recently for its warm welcome despite all difficulties?

The answer lies in a mystery expressed in the Bible: the mystery of iniquity — “The hidden plan to live without any law is at work now, but it will be secret only until the one who is holding it back is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
A mystery that, in the end times, aligns with a movement permitted by the One who awaits “His people” in “His land”: “I’m going to send hordes of fishermen to catch them, declares the LORD. Afterward I will send a party of hunters to hunt them down on every mountain, hill, and cave.” (Jeremiah 16:16)

As everything begins to be deeply shaken, let us remember, with fear, reverence, and humility, that “our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)