Following the felling of a memorial tree for Ilan Halimi, a Jewish man murdered in 2006, President Macron emphasized the need for justice and condemned the act as one of hatred, reaffirming France's commitment to combat antisemitism.
Macron Vows Justice After Memorial Tree for Murdered Jew is Destroyed
Macron Vows Justice After Memorial Tree for Murdered Jew is Destroyed
French President denounces antisemitism after a tree dedicated to Ilan Halimi is cut down, igniting discussions on hate crimes.
French President Emmanuel Macron has reacted strongly to the destruction of a memorial tree dedicated to Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man who was kidnapped and murdered by a Paris gang in 2006. The olive tree, planted 14 years ago in Épinay-sur-Seine, was found severed at its base and discarded into a nearby flowerbed, prompting outrage and condemnation from various public figures.
Macron characterized the act of cutting down the tree as an "attempt to kill him a second time," reiterating the government's commitment to finding and punishing the responsible individuals. "All means are being deployed to punish this act of hatred," he stated. The Paris police chief, Laurent Nuñez, confirmed that an investigation was underway to bring the culprits to justice.
Ilan Halimi's tragic story involved his abduction by the so-called Barbarian gang, led by Youssouf Fofana, who targeted Halimi due to his Jewish background. After suffering weeks of torment, Halimi's lifeless body was discovered, leading to national outrage and a heightened awareness of antisemitism in France. Fofana was sentenced to life in prison, while several accomplices received lesser penalties.
This latest incident is not the first instance of damage to memorials commemorating Halimi. In 2019, another tree dedicated to him was reportedly removed, which was also classified as an antisemitic assault. Macron and French Prime Minister François Bayrou both condemned the act, highlighting the ongoing struggle against antisemitic hatred.
"No crime can uproot memory," Bayrou asserted, linking the act of vandalism to a broader concern over rising antisemitism in France. Macron concluded with a vow that "France will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish."
