Antisemitism in France set to become the new norm, with 100 incidents monthly - SPCJ report

PARIS – Post-October 7 levels of antisemitism are on course to be the new normal in the streets of France, the head of the Jewish Community Protection Service (SPCJ) told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday at the organization’s headquarters in Paris.

French Jews are likely to continue to experience a hundred antisemitic incidents each month, in a “new routine,” said the SPCJ head.  The organization, which has protected France’s Jews since the 1980s, had hoped that the tide of antisemitism has begun to recede with a dip in incidents in December. After the 1000% increase in recorded incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year, a new normal baseline of antisemitism continued in 2024.

The SPCJ has tasked itself with recording figures on antisemitism, which it exchanges and cross references with government sources. The trends identified in 2023 and that continue in 2024 show that 60% of the incidents are personal encounters involving violence (10%), or verbal and physical harassment. The remainder were attacks against businesses and institutions.

Another continuing trend, which began three years earlier, was the shift in the locus of antisemitic attacks from Jewish institutions to street attacks and incidents close to home.

In 2023, SPCJ recorded that 31.9% of antisemitic incidents occurred on private property, and 20.4% happened on public streets.

SPCJ’s head said that its figures show those who doubt the extent of antisemitism are wrong but advised against catastrophizing.

In 2023, SPCJ recorded that 31.9% of antisemitic incidents occurred on private property, and 20.4% happened on public streets.

Prove the existence of antisemitism

Those who diminish the existence of antisemitism likely live in the bubble of a Jewish neighborhood, said the SPCJ head. Two steps out of the bubble into certain neighborhoods would prove the existence of antisemitism.

While there is a problem, there is no need to panic, said the CEO. A realistic approach was needed, in which the dangers were acknowledged, and steps were taken with security in mind to ensure the French Jewish way of life.

“I won’t say that there is no future in France – our mission is to secure the future of French Jews,” said the SPCJ CEO, rejecting extreme forecasts for the future of the Republic’s Jewry.

The SPCJ head said that his organization, which employs dozens and maintains thousands of volunteers across France, would continue to secure French Jews even if political radicals win power. SPCJ wouldn’t have the same connections but would manage.

The CEO was less concerned about the prospects of an anti-Jewish government than the atmosphere on the street, where antisemitism had been increasingly normalized.

Protected at its Paris hub by cameras and monitors, the security organization operates under a veil of secrecy, with antisemitic and anti-Israel groups constantly looking out for information with which to attack the group and its members. Such anti-Israel organizations are constantly trawling for information online about any Jewish or Israeli events to protest.

SPCJ works with the government to raise the level of security for Jewish communities and institutions, ensuring that they have the physical security of cameras, secure doors, and alarm systems needed for passive protection.

The Jewish security organization also provides education and training to make sure that communities know how to operate during emergency situations.  SPCJ has developed tailored plans for every type of institution, be they supermarkets, synagogues, or schools.

One of the most important programs for the SPCJ head was teaching children to be “strong, proud Jews.” This is key for fostering resilience in the Jewish community and the future of French Jews.