A recent survey commissioned by French equivalent of the Board of Deputies has revealed alarming findings about attitudes toward Jews among young people in France.
Nearly one in five individuals under 35-years-old told the CRIF (Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions) that it would be a positive thing if Jews were to leave the country.
This statistic is part of a broader survey titled The French View of Antisemitism and the Situation of French Jews in 2024, carried out by Ipsos and published in Le Point magazine.
The survey highlights a trend of rising antisemitic sentiments, particularly among younger demographics.
Approximately 17 per cent of those aged 18-34 agreed with the statement that Jews leaving France would be a good thing, a notable increase from six per cent in 2020. In the broader population, 12 per cent of respondents shared this view, underscoring a shift in attitudes toward Jews.
Jonathan Arfi, the president of CRIF, expressed concern over the findings, describing them as "violent" and a sharp contrast to the historical trend of Jewish integration in France.
He pointed out that younger people are increasingly exposed to antisemitic, Islamist, and conspiracy theories, particularly on social media platforms. “Young people are more receptive to these ideologies,” Arfi said, reflecting on the growing challenge of combating antisemitism in the digital age.
The survey also revealed that just over half (53 per cent) of French people aged 18-24 felt that Jews were well integrated into French society.
While 68 per cent of respondents overall reported having positive relations with Jews, only 55 per cent expressed the same sentiment towards Muslims.
This indicates a broader trend of complex and often strained intergroup relations within France.
One particularly striking result was the level of negative reaction toward various symbols of Jewish and Muslim identity.
While most respondents showed indifference to seeing individuals wearing traditional Jewish garb or a kippah, 40 per cent expressed discomfort when seeing people wearing a keffiyeh, and 75 per cent had adverse reactions to women in a full burkha.
These responses reflect the deepening divides in French society regarding religious and cultural symbols.
Stereotypes and antisemitic beliefs remain widespread in France, with many respondents holding prejudices about Jews.
Among the most common stereotypes were that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to France, that they control powerful lobbies, and that they use the Holocaust to further their own interests.
The survey found that 27 per cent of respondents agreed with 3-5 antisemitic statements, and 46 per cent agreed with six or more, a significant increase from 37 per cent in 2020.
The study also explored political affiliations, showing that those who held the most antisemitic views were predominantly aligned with the far-left political party La France Insoumise (LFI).
A troubling 55% of respondents with these views supported LFI, with many of them expressing negative opinions of Israel and its government.
In terms of public opinion on Israel and Palestine, the survey revealed that while more people viewed Israel positively (21 per cent) compared to Palestine (18 per cent), there was significant criticism of the Israeli government.
A large majority, 75 per cent, felt that the war between Israel and Gaza had contributed to the rise in antisemitism in France. Interestingly, nearly a quarter of LFI supporters expressed sympathy for Hamas, further complicating the political landscape surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While 89 per cent of respondents condemned antisemitic words and actions, and 85 per cent affirmed that Jews are as French as anyone else, the survey points to a disturbing trend of growing intolerance, particularly among younger generations.
CRIF is set to hold its 14th convention on Sunday in the presence of Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
