French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his condemnation of an “act of hatred” following the cutting down of a tree commemorating Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish man who was murdered in 2006. The memorial tree, planted 14 years ago in Épinay-sur-Seine, was removed in an act that Macron deemed as an attempt to “kill him a second time.”
“We will ensure that all means are used to punish this act of hatred,” Macron stated, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and justice. Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez confirmed an investigation is underway, promising that efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Ilan Halimi was abducted and brutally murdered by a gang that targeted him solely due to his Jewish identity, reflecting deep-rooted antisemitism. He was held captive for three weeks before his body was discovered handcuffed to a tree, bearing signs of horrific treatment, including burns.
The olive tree in question was part of a wider effort to honor Halimi’s memory across Paris. Its severed trunk was discovered the following morning, prompting outrage among local authorities and citizens alike. Macron reiterated France’s commitment to combating antisemitism, asserting that “the Republic is always uncompromising” in such matters.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou also condemned the act, linking it directly to the ongoing issue of antisemitic hatred in society. “No crime can uproot memory,” he affirmed, stressing the responsibility to fight against the growing menace of hatred.
This isn’t the first incident targeting Halimi's memory; similar acts have occurred in the past, including the vandalism of another tree and a plaque in his honor. The history of such attacks underscores the presence of antisemitism in France and the profound grief surrounding Halimi’s tragic death. The government’s response highlights the continued commitment to addressing and confronting these deeply troubling issues.
