France: Jewish Headstones in German WWI Cemetery Defaced

Ten Jewish headstones were defaced in a WWI German cemetery in northern France. President Emmanuel Macron stated that he condemned the act in the strongest terms and reaffirmed his personal commitment to fight antisemitism in all its forms.

The French paper Le Figaro reported yesterday (Wednesday) that the French National Gendarmerie has opened an investigation into the defacement of ten Jewish headstones in a cemetery for Jewish and Christian German soldiers who fell during WWI located in Moulin-sous-Touvent, in the northern French department of Oise.

The investigation, opened immediately upon hearing of the acts of vandalism, will be for violating a grave or monument based on "race, ethnicity, nation, religion."

President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials strongly condemned the act, with Macron condemning it in the strongest terms, and local government officials calling it "despicable" and "abject vandalism."

1500 Antisemitic Acts and Statements Since October 7

This vandalism is one of around 1500 reported antisemitic or statements reported since the Hamas massacre of October 7 and the beginning of the Israeli war against the Hamas organization in Gaza, according to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.

Around 330 investigations have been opened into reported cases of antisemitism and glorification of terrorism since October 7.