- Title: Macron pays tribute to murdered French Jew on 20th anniversary of attack
- Date: 13th February 2026
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (FEBRUARY 13, 2026) (AGENCY POOL) CEREMONY ATTENDEES GATHERED IN ELYSEE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE GARDENS FOR TRIBUTE TO VICTIM OF ANTI-SEMITIC MURDER IN 2026, ILAN HALIMI FRENCH CULTURE MINISTER AND PARIS MAYORAL CANDIDATE, RACHIDA DATI, AND FRENCH JUSTICE MINISTER, GERALD DARMANIN (RIGHT) STANDING FOR CEREMONY FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, HIS WIFE, BRIGITTE
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Ilan Halimi Jew anti-Semitic attack hate crime jewish tribute
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001520713022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Emmanuel Macron called on Friday (February 13) for intensified efforts to combat antisemitism in France during a tribute to Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man tortured to death 20 years ago.
"Despite the resolute action of our police officers, gendarmes, magistrates, teachers, and elected officials, the anti-Semitic hydra has continued to grow", Macron said in a speech inside the Elysee palace before some 200 guests, after planting an oak tree in Halimi's memory.
Advocating for stronger penalties, he argued for the introduction of a "mandatory ban from holding public office will be established for antisemitic, racist, and discriminatory acts and remarks."
The French president also condemned online hate speech, urging the European Commission to hold big online platforms accountable.
“In the France of the Enlightenment, free speech stops at antisemitism and racism,” he said.
Halimi died after being kidnapped and held captive for 24 days in 2006. A gang leader was sentenced in 2009 to life in prison for his abduction, torture and murder.
Recent government data showed hostility toward Jews has remained high despite a decline in recorded incidents last year.
France, which has the largest Jewish community in Europe, documented 1,320 antisemitic acts in 2025, accounting for 53% of all anti-religious incidents, according to a report released on Thursday by the Interior Ministry.
Even as incidents fell 16% year-on-year, they remained at "historically high" levels for three consecutive years, the Ministry said.
Several trees planted across France in Halimi's memory have been vandalised, illustrating the resurgence of hostile acts against the Jewish community in recent years.
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