Macron Vows Justice After Memorial Tree for Slain Jew is Destroyed

Fri Oct 03 2025 05:02:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

French President condemns act of hatred as investigation is launched into the uprooting of a tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi.

Following the cutting down of a memorial tree for Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man murdered in 2006, President Macron expresses outrage and pledges that all efforts will be made to find the perpetrators. Authorities emphasize the ongoing struggle against antisemitism in France, reiterating the country's commitment to uphold memory and justice.

French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned the recent destruction of a memorial tree honoring Ilan Halimi, who was brutally murdered in 2006. The olive tree, planted in Épinay-sur-Seine as a tribute to Halimi, was discovered felled on Thursday, prompting outrage from politicians and community leaders alike.

Macron characterized the act as "an attempt to kill him a second time," emphasizing that the French government is determined to identify and bring the responsible individuals to justice. He declared, “All means are being deployed to punish this act of hatred.” The tree had become part of several memorials that commemorate Halimi's tragic death, which was a turning point in France's acknowledgment of antisemitism and violence against Jewish communities.

Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed an investigation has been initiated, assuring that authorities would do everything possible to track down those responsible for this destruction. Halimi was the victim of a horrific kidnapping by a gang known as the Barbarians, who targeted him due to his Jewish identity. The gang attempted to extort a large ransom from his family while holding him captive. The mastermind of the crime, Youssouf Fofana, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the crime against Halimi.

The local authorities expressed their dismay upon discovering the memorial tree had been vandalized, as it lay chopped at the base and discarded nearby. Macron reflected on the collective memory surrounding Halimi's plight, stating, "France will not forget this child of France who died because he was Jewish." He reinforced France's unwavering stance against antisemitism, asserting that the republic will always confront hate head-on.

French Prime Minister François Bayrou echoed Macron’s sentiments, attributing the incident to "antisemitic hatred." He emphasized that no act of hatred could erase the memory of Halimi, underlining the need to continuously combat the "deadly poison" of hate within society.

This incident is not isolated; there have been past attacks on memorials associated with Halimi, highlighting a troubling trend of antisemitic acts in France. In 2019, a tree honoring Halimi was also reported to have been vandalized, and in 2017, a plaque commemorating him was desecrated with antisemitic writing. Such events shine a light on the ongoing challenges of confronting prejudice and hatred in contemporary France.