Following the destruction of a memorial tree commemorating Ilan Halimi, who was brutally murdered in 2006, President Macron condemned the act as an attempt to perpetuate hatred. Investigations are underway, reaffirming France's dedication to combating antisemitism.
Macron Decries Attack on Jewish Memorial Tree as Act of Hatred
Macron Decries Attack on Jewish Memorial Tree as Act of Hatred
French President Emmanuel Macron responds to the cutting down of a memorial tree honoring murdered Jew Ilan Halimi, pledging justice against antisemitic acts.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vehemently condemned the recent felling of a memorial tree dedicated to Ilan Halimi, a Jewish man tragically murdered in 2006. The olive tree, planted 14 years ago in Épinay-sur-Seine, was located in a public area and served as a reminder of the heinous crime which captured national attention. Macron labeled the act as an "attempt to kill him a second time" and stated, "All means are being deployed to punish this act of hatred."
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed that an investigation is already underway to identify and hold accountable the individuals responsible for this vandalism. Ilan Halimi, who was kidnapped and brutally tortured by a gang in Paris, became a symbol in the fight against antisemitism after his tragic death. The gang, known infamously as the Barbarian gang, targeted Halimi due to his Jewish background, erroneously believing his family possessed substantial wealth.
The local authorities reported the discovery of the severed tree on Thursday morning, noting that it had been chopped down at the base and discarded unceremoniously in a flowerbed nearby. Macron reiterated France's commitment to remember Halimi and to confront antisemitism head-on, stating, "In the face of antisemitism, the Republic is always uncompromising."
French Prime Minister François Bayrou joined in condemning the incident, linking it directly to rising antisemitic sentiments in the country. Commenting on the tree's destruction, Bayrou proclaimed that "no crime can uproot memory," underscoring the importance of remembering Halimi’s legacy and the battle against hatred. This particular case is not isolated; the incident recalls similar instances in France, including the cutting down of a Halimi memorial tree in 2019 and other acts of vandalism against commemorative plaques associated with his name.
This latest incident has stirred discussions around the persistent issue of antisemitism in France, prompting officials to reiterate their commitment to ensure justice prevails and that the memories of victims like Halimi will not be forgotten.
