A rabbi filed a complaint late Saturday, February 21, in Lyon after being targeted by a man who allegedly gave a Nazi salute and shouted “Free Palestine” in the street, according to the Rhône prefecture, which confirmed the incident to several media outlets including Le Parisien.
The events took place in Lyon’s 1st arrondissement while, a few kilometers away, a march in tribute to nationalist activist Quentin Deranque was being held.
According to the prefecture, the rabbi was walking with a group of children toward the synagogue shortly before 5:45 p.m. “Along the way, an individual near a restaurant allegedly made a Nazi salute and shouted ‘Free Palestine,’” authorities reported. “Other individuals then reportedly came out of the restaurant, and the rabbi again heard ‘Free Palestine.’”
The rabbi and the children left the area and safely reached the synagogue. The religious leader filed a formal complaint later that evening, after 11 p.m. An investigation has been opened.
Rhône Prefect Fabienne Buccio spoke by phone Sunday morning with Lyon’s Chief Rabbi to assure him that she was closely monitoring the follow-up to what the prefecture described as serious acts.
According to France’s Interior Ministry, more than 1,300 antisemitic acts were recorded in 2025, out of a total of 2,489 anti-religious incidents nationwide.
In this context, the ministry stated that it will be “fully committed” to organizing national and regional conferences on combating anti-religious acts, as announced by the President of the Republic during his January address to representatives of religious communities.
