The chief Rabbi of Paris’ Grande Synagogue has urged young Jews to flee France as nationalism rises across the continent.
- Rabbi Moshe Sebbag—who previously expressed cautious optimism about the future of French Jewry—appears to have reversed course following the ascent of Marine le Pen’s National Rally and now has deep “concerns about antisemitism.”
- Sebbag is now advocating for Jewish youth to uproot themselves to places like embattled Israel or other countries perceived to be “safer” for Jews.
- “It is clear today that there is no future for Jews in France, I tell everyone who is young to go to Israel or a more secure country,” he said in a comment to Israel’s conservative Jerusalem Post.
Zooming in: Rabbi Sebbag asserts that France is amid an identity crisis, with different segments of society responding to the failures of mass immigration and racial integration in different ways.
- Sebbag cites the success of the National Rally party in recent elections as a cause for concern. He also blames left-wing groups for adopting anti-Zionist causes and for “justifying” the October 7th military raid by Hamas.
- He contrasts the successful integration of post-WWII Jewish immigrants with challenges faced by more recent immigrant groups.
- “Many Ashkenazi Jewish families here since before World War II couldn’t think to vote for National Rally, yet the Left has been antisemitic in recent times…The Jews are in the middle because they don’t know who hates them more,” said Sebbag.
The big picture: Since the events of October 7th, Jewish advocacy groups around the world have reported a steep rise in antisemitism, which, according to the now widely accepted IHRA definition, includes even mild critique of Israel.
- According to a recent survey conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, nearly 40% of the modern world is said to be “antisemitic,” with respondents agreeing with at least six different so-called “antisemitic tropes.” 26% of Gen Z respondents, for instance, are believed to view Hamas “favorably.”
- In France, Jews were reportedly “living in fear” in the weeks following the October 7th attacks. France is said to be the largest home to diaspora Jewry after Israel and the United States.
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