The president of the Jewish community in Rouen, Natacha Ben Haïm, has announced plans to file a legal complaint following a wave of antisemitic threats and a recent act of vandalism targeting the city’s synagogue, according to France Info.
On Thursday, the words “Free Gaza” were spray-painted in pink on the synagogue’s blue door. Ben Haïm condemned the act as a violent transposition of the Middle East conflict onto French soil. “We are French citizens of Jewish faith, not participants in a conflict that isn’t happening here,” she emphasized, expressing frustration over synagogues and Jews in France being repeatedly targeted.
Beyond the graffiti, the community leader highlighted a persistent climate of hatred. In recent weeks, the synagogue’s Facebook page has been flooded with antisemitic messages, some of which openly called for the death of Jews or equated the Jewish community with Nazis. Ben Haïm described these statements as “repugnant antisemitism,” criticizing the “cowards” who attack places of worship and hide behind the anonymity of social media.
The upcoming complaint will not only address the physical defacement of the synagogue but also include the online threats and hate speech. Ben Haïm intends to pursue justice to ensure the severity of these acts is recognized and legally addressed.
