French anti-racism protesters reportedly hurled anti-Semitic insults during a protest in Paris on Saturday.
Some protesters were reportedly carrying Palestinian flags and signs reading “Israel, laboratory of police violence,” and chants of “sale juif,” which translates to “dirty Jews.” Tensions increased after Paris police blocked the march, and a far-right group unfurled a banner calling for “justice for the victims of anti-white racism.”
Anti-racism protesters in Paris today shout “Dirty Jews!” pic.twitter.com/APQCep0da0
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) June 13, 2020
Anti-police brutality protests have spread across the world, and in Paris, demonstrators gathered at Place de la Republique to protest the death of Adama Traore, a Malian French man who died in police custody in 2016 after being pinned down by three officers. The death has drawn comparisons to the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
Crif, an organization representing French Jews, condemned the incident according to the Jerusalem Post, saying it “testifies to a desire to infiltrate a just and universal cause — anti-racism — with hatred of the Jews and Israel,” adding that “there cannot be a fight against racism which directly or indirectly tolerates antisemitism in its ranks.”
“Sales juifs” scandé par les manifestants. Le préfet de Police signale ces propos antisémites à la justice. pic.twitter.com/3aSaQfmvjK
— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) June 13, 2020
The incident has been referred to the prosecutor’s office for further investigation.
