Rabbi Assaulted in Orleans as Antisemitic Hate Crimes Surge in France

French leaders condemn the attack on Rabbi Arié Engelberg, which reflects rising antisemitism linked to international tensions.

Rabbi Arié Engelberg was physically attacked and insulted with antisemitic slurs while walking with his son in Orleans on Saturday.
The suspect, arrested shortly after the incident, has been transferred to a psychiatric facility and is reportedly known under multiple identities.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin denounced the attack, emphasizing the need to combat antisemitism and its global drivers.
France reported 1,570 antisemitic acts in 2024, accounting for 62% of all religiously motivated hate crimes, with a majority targeting individuals directly.
The Jewish community in Orleans is shaken but supported by solidarity efforts from local and national leaders following the violent incident.