Brief
Synagogue vandalized and Jewish shops looted amid French weekend riots
Jewish leaders urge emergency measures after a synagogue in Paris' 19th arrondissement was vandalized and shops in Marseille were looted.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A synagogue in Paris' 19th arrondissement was vandalized and Jewish-owned shops were looted during Saturday's nationwide riots, according to the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and local reports.
What happened
On Saturday, rioters swept through several French cities, including Paris and Marseille. In Paris, footage released by CAM showed tables, chairs, prayer books and other items tossed inside the synagogue after looters entered. In Marseille, dozens of shops were vandalized, with thieves taking items ranging from luxury Hermes goods to everyday bread.
What the reports add
CAM's statement quoted its CEO Sacha Roytman saying the attack on the synagogue was a warning sign that "what begins against Jews never stops there." A congregant speaking to IsraJ suggested the synagogue was targeted because looters assumed it held money. Ariel Goldmann of the Unified Jewish Social Fund (SPCJ) confirmed some of the damaged shops were owned by Jewish people, while journalist Paul Amar claimed Jewish-owned stores were singled out and Muslim-owned stores were spared. Goldmann said there is no evidence of a specific anti‑Jewish motive and that SPCJ is working with authorities to determine motives.
What was said
"When chaos and violence take over the streets, synagogues are the first to suffer," Roytman told CAM. The congregant told IsraJ, "It can’t be a coincidence that they chose to target a Jewish place of worship." Goldmann told reporters there is no proof of targeted antisemitism. Amar criticized protesters for waving Palestinian flags and alleged selective targeting of Jewish shops.
How it came about
The riots are part of a broader wave of unrest sparked by student protests over living costs, which have already led to nearly 1,800 arrests nationwide and injuries to hundreds of police officers, as reported in earlier Felo coverage of the French riots.
Key facts
- A synagogue in Paris' 19th arrondissement was vandalized during Saturday's riots (nypost.com)
- Jewish-owned shops in Marseille were looted, with items ranging from luxury goods to bread taken (nypost.com)
- CAM CEO Sacha Roytman said the synagogue attack was a warning sign against Jews (nypost.com)
- Ariel Goldmann of SPCJ said there is no evidence Jewish stores were specifically targeted (nypost.com)
- Journalist Paul Amar alleged Jewish shops were targeted while Muslim stores were spared (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Synagogue ransacked, Jewish businesses hit during French riots: ‘Can’t be a coincidence’”
