Overview

• Rabbi Arié Engelberg was violently attacked on March 22 in Orléans, with the 16-year-old suspect now in custody and facing trial in April 2025.
• The attack, classified as motivated by religious bias, has drawn widespread condemnation, including from President Emmanuel Macron, who called antisemitism 'a poison.'
• A silent march on March 25 in Orléans saw over 1,300 participants, including local officials and interfaith leaders, showing solidarity with the rabbi and rejecting antisemitism.
• The French Interior Minister has announced increased security measures for Jewish places of worship in response to the incident.
• The attack has reignited discussions about the persistence of antisemitism in France, where incidents increased significantly in recent years, with 1,570 acts recorded in 2024.